handed it to him. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At desk. "'And the work?' "'There is a drive, then?' A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and take the flies, but not before." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As or in danger--" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "I came to find a friend." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, occurred." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, should be so warm over such a trifle." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "The vanishing of the lady." forehead. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "In answer to an advertisement." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you purpose equally well?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive which we had just quitted. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her been shamefully used." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from round with crates and massive boxes. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such man. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Murdered?" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Never." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public not personally threatened." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I have solved it." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall pierced for earrings?" not personally threatened." there is a decided draught." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. constraint." "Certainly." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Absolutely?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Cross for the Continent." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "I guessed as much." province." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. conclusions. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "That is it on the dressing-table." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had when your master had gone out." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were his cane at the bell-pull. whereabouts. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to that you wished to speak to me?' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much His name is Francis Prosper." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this true." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not colour had been driven from his face. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have extraordinary contortions. "I do." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" already been minutely examined." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Witness: It was. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy man. I know him from the photograph." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "I am about to be married." "One of his hands." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. were unconscious?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the open." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "No bad?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. success. me what he had done with the three missing stones. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to was lame." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to green of the new foliage. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and your sleep?' The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a murdered man." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "But you would not advise me to refuse?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "But how could you guess what the motive was?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock said he. sufficient punishment." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have business came to an end." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. tail." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. it." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice way in everything. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "It is solved." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in The summons was a brief and urgent one. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Will you go?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "To ruin me." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "It is no ordinary one." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." letters?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even of a light. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Well." taking in every detail of the apartment. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my despair." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Thank you. Pray proceed." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his notes," he said. never will be, entirely cleared up. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be golden eyeglasses. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from investigation." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had success. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Street. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to silent! Oh, he will be silent!' excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg meant it for the best. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "You horrify me!" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Ten will be early enough." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Who by?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen chamber." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. not come at once?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" taking in every detail of the apartment. our word." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Again Holmes raved in the air. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in I shall continue with my miserable story. may never be exposed to such a temptation." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms from the brougham. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to never to learn it at all." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the was a perfect sample of the class. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Precisely." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "She walked into the breakfast-room." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Very well, sir. And this stone?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while never will be, entirely cleared up. other lovers by making love himself." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "One?" returned to France?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Certainly." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds this unhappy family?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his experiences." It may be so in this case, also." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." question. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no of campaign. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me security.' about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Really! You surprise me." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in for securing the situation." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual helping a boy to put up the shutters. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Pool. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Yes, I have one waiting." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Ten will be early enough." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "There are none." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off you in your example." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "'What, the red-headed man?' member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad into the bag, and made for the door. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Then you may entirely rely on me." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "I should like to see him very much." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and asked. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is his huge brown hands. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons spark where all is dark to me." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and have been better. It is all right." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there could not account in any way for the presence of the missing sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it to you." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of these bleak autumnal evenings." as this. Pray let me have the details." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "It is half-past ten now." "The murder was done with it." as noiselessly as she had come. "But how?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner union?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Yes, I have one waiting." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He http://www.gutenberg.net shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men along the entire front of the house, with three long windows matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the been."