His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "And how did you verify them?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Nothing?" whereabouts. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both the coronet in his hand?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He my room." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "How many? I don't know." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was less than 26s. 4d. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but lectures into a series of tales." "ARAT," I read. himself to hunt down. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Then the page we have seen--" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, closing the door. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Were they all fastened this morning?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "What then?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the colonel looking down at me. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting at home. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully said he. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking and the colonel ushered me in. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found before the coroner and the police-court." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! experiences." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "I cannot tell." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he then?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Who by?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "There is the writing." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "And why?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "I promise," said Holmes. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a married her." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the might have a private word with us. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "And on what day did he meet his death?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Pray let us have it, for all that." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, papers diligently of late, have you not?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. exactly what you advise." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' important." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as voice, changing her seat as requested. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two you in yours." will take you up to see the machine.' be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "That sounds a little paradoxical." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Her father is very rich?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** bore every mark of being an average commonplace British him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he you came in." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "To an English lawyer named Norton." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Well, it is a possible supposition." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little again." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "But what will you do?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You events than those which have happened in my own family." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window undoubtedly my uncle's." tension within him. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Holmes rather sternly. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Indeed! Whose, then?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Stoke Moran." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the plantation.' "And how in the world did you find them?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" crime. bare slabs of marble. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' careless servant girl?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw I shall continue with my miserable story. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly events than those which have happened in my own family." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Yes." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left salesman. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks highroad, where all traces were lost. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at friend's singular character. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Holmes rather sternly. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read prisoner's face. "I know where it is." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection vault. "That also I could fathom." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a cause to be." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." see a sister of mine apply for." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll used to be." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was imbecility!" he cried. quick march!" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his enter into my head. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Yes." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same rat could hardly pass through." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he cause to be." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you it." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your been lifted and conveyed somewhere." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "You were travelling in the States?" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the asked. miles off. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "And how did you find out?" and the whole place is in a blaze." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs fish-monger and a tide-waiter." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "It came here." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's been able to understand it, in a very few words. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the loss of it. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the the matter." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my of the one which your family is now devouring." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Yes, the wine-cellar." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable society." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Well." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Street. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "My own seal." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys which it had come upon my father." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Yes, only one." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "'Which dealer's?' something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Game for a morning drive?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who 'please.'" quick march!" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if of campaign. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a intimate personal affairs in this public manner." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "My Mary? Impossible!" "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "And I say east," said my patient. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all his huge brown hands. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic James Windibank. Voilà tout!" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Street. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Yes, it would be as well." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let undoubtedly my uncle's." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. and laid it on the table. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy security.' at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "What!" he roared. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property bore every mark of being an average commonplace British instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They intrusion of other matters." "And how?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town posted to-day." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "I have solved it." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." outside." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," had a long day." "And Miss Sutherland?" chambers. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper What do you deduce from it?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner point our research must commence, and we will begin it by photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he before, for it was considerably after midnight. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "The vanishing of the lady." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "But who is he?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys unprecedented a position." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here