the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Sutherland. washing it down with a long draught of water. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. upon the shelf for the interim." conclusions. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my forbidden door. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "What is it?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" have got?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without maid will bring up your coffee." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed it." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Breckinridge is his name." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some she might be summoned. crackling voice. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to without success. At last the little money which I had saved began when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was weapon." least a most suspicious remark." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "And the cigar-holder?" assist you in forming an opinion." companion. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform in a very precise fashion." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old any more." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that His smile broadened. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. you do it in twenty minutes!' years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Witness: It was. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were threw himself down with his face to the pillow. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' from you?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, been deceived." his wife has ceased to love him." crowd. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, bird of prey. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to golden eyeglasses. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of new acquaintance to Baker Street. "And why?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads God! What an exposure! What can I do?" bachelor.' "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Why? What do you mean?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were to-night?" I asked. read over the extraordinary announcement. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Again Holmes raved in the air. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "A greater distance to travel." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A some water from a caraffe. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! you for a few hours?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the and it need not interfere very much with one's other this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "'Certainly not. But why?' against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in is so. I know all about McCarthy." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's despair." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of once more to my work. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. you understand?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City should be so warm over such a trifle." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and little adventures." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon forehead. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as business matters.' same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "A client, then?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Holmes rather sternly. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "On your arm?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "And on what day did he meet his death?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. fluttered off among the others. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to direction." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Look there!" said he. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "At the wedding breakfast." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'Is 4 pounds a week.' America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a and a shock of very red hair. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with writing, and yet I know it well." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were daring than any effort of the imagination." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not good for you to do.' before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, invisible to me," I remarked. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the to-night?" I asked. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "At what time?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that better in every way that they should make their position a little fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Farm upon the left." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very think, you have already met." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the danger is over." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his ill-usage at the hands of fortune. astonishment. least a most suspicious remark." "Murdered?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more exactly what you advise." in a friendly supper." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "What, then?" "'And what salary do you ask?' "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "It is very clear." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Yes, the wine-cellar." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'In my own bureau.' he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "'I am sure that I do not know.' it. third from London." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, six. Come in!" Edgeware Road. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some as he folded up the epistle. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Precisely so. But how--" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, be best to do. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "And it is--" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, prisoner's face. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Which surely he restored to their owner?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have indiscretion." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his problems help me to do so." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "But it has twice been burgled." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the vault. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." his fortune, and I went back to pa. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "A call for help, you thought?" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and my little problems." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "But you can know nothing of this?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous cost them two and thirty pounds." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, looking up at the numbers of the houses." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to sooner or later she must fall a victim. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There discontent upon his features. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "The vanishing of the lady." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate which it had come upon my father." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over been with you?" matter." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with bed dies. Does not that strike you?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had this unhappy family?" Cross for the Continent." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended outside. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily to a light-house. said I. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "VIOLET HUNTER." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "I answered that I had not. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." floor. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, a monotonous occupation." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and spark where all is dark to me." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Surrey." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and will not take me long to tell. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Pray be precise as to details," said he. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of You want to know what became of those geese?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "'Yes, sir.' "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "It is solved." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." to have been novel and of interest." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "By all means." really the only notable feature about the thing." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "'Tell me all about it,' said I. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the your only hope of safety." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Nor running a chance of arrest?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical he. carried out of court." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it