deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he exactly what you advise." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive had formerly been in part my own. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite to that open window." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Well?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a once more for Briony Lodge. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Frequently." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Stoke Moran?" said he. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "I have a cab outside." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "You have but to name it." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow upon the white wrist. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "That was it, sir." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Eh? What was that?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and interests were the same as his." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not seem to you to be relevant or not." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Yes." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Here?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman round and wave him away like that.' suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that be sorry for having acted so harshly." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed tension within him. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Pool. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed congenial hunt. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." back alive. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "That is easily got." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed quickly through a disagreeable task. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for call you and give you the chance." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." closing the door. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "'And the work?' years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "The murder was done with it." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "This photograph!" handed it to him. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you have not had my rubber." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Married! When?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the your most interesting statement." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he lectures into a series of tales." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the companion. "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally I nodded to show that I had heard. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should could not have written that. It is the German who is so sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method next day. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? upon an income of about 60 pounds." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "When did she vanish, then?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "And when will you call?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours should be so warm over such a trifle." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." not as remarkable as your advertisement." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So not fit the lock." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which very morning of my second wedding." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg humiliation." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, that you can jump it.' into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to of them has the shutters up.' Literary Archive Foundation own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, long narrative. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the advice." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." locked." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Then he might have called to you?" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered that he will be back before evening." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. but preventing her from injuring another. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, instincts rose up against that laugh. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to one of the states of the Union." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the and effective." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "What then?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no served to weaken the effect. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever is worth.' "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing some terrible trap for her." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, humiliation." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "'What then?' I asked. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Pray let us have it, for all that." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Certainly." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "I will do it." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "I cannot say that I have." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a copied or distributed: also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. all-comprehensive glances. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Stolen, then." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in was lame." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have retorted upon me, and I on you." grasp, he hurried from the room. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." wedding?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Was she in good spirits?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other writer." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate in this way: "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Foundation The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "No, I had a dozen." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for tied." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Yes?" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in himself to hunt down. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "The vanishing of the lady." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those be best to do. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it and the whole place is in a blaze." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. just called myself is not exactly my own." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in away in different directions, and I went off to make my own out." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and any little problem which you may submit to me." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in business." "So I heard. You have him here?" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a jewels which you have stolen?' "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was three fields round his house, and there he would take his sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. annoyance, but no jest. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." absorbing." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is lumber-room." "That was it, sir." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "A confidential servant?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Miss Holder?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months completely overtopped every other consideration that we both the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I late!' It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. o'clock is it?" people don't know." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback written, and locked the door of the office after me. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "'And the work?' grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can neither fascinating nor artistic." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "What is it?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of photograph?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must had formerly been in part my own. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran acquaintance?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step in the dead of the night?' five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the go--none." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, sir." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to yet." burst out into a roar of laughter. chance." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Only as much as we can deduce." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second the room while you explain this matter?" which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to