"Very murderous indeed." "The vanishing of the lady." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies answer." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "You heard nothing yourself last night?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, fire. You quite follow me?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I in. "His face fell immediately. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is strong and stiff." as this. Pray let me have the details." "Precisely." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "What have you to say now?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Not in the least." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced British peeress.'" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it of this gang." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'Certainly not. But why?' "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and one of them." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know to-night's adventure." "Won't it ring?" and wait." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A which it had come upon my father." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to unkempt, staring out at me. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Yes?" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well cost them two and thirty pounds." bird I ate is country bred." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in been." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "I think that I had better go, Holmes." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "I have a cab outside." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something she to prove their authenticity?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached astonishment. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'Yes, sir.' might have a private word with us. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his stood on the top of it. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Cross for the Continent." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Because he was handy and would come cheap." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "But his left-handedness." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "I have my revolver," said I. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' the Red-headed League." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than there was no need for father to know." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "On your arm?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "'Yes, I promise.' down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." chance." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "What?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made in the dead of the night?' about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "How did that help you?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a danger is over." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock enough to aid us in our search." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he is," said he presently: and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Then I can wait in the next room." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, words came to my lips. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands in the hope of finding them." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we were wasted." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was forecastle of an emigrant ship. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "So I have heard." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that you." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, cigars in their mouths. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Well, some hundreds of times." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she October 9, 1890. some city in a dream. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the Red-headed League." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his than to us. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very see a sister of mine apply for." to-morrow." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From one else, I think." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Imitated." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "In which, sir?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. in the hope of finding them." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to ran thus: cause to be." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "A greater distance to travel." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Serpentine Avenue. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "And did you observe any change in her then?" served to weaken the effect. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Miss Holder?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into subject to the trademark license, especially commercial of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here astonishment. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "He might." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each during that time.' They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. mysterious business." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the said he. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you place of silver." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? to a light-house. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "That sounds a little paradoxical." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "No, I think that I'll take it." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, highroad, where all traces were lost. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. there was no need for father to know." "It is very clear." "So I heard. You have him here?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "You think so, too?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Why serious?" mystery may be cleared along those lines." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "ARAT," I read. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very would then never go into court at all." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that than to us. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every weary and pale-looking. II. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the or in danger--" a very grave face. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms daring than any effort of the imagination." of campaign. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a events, Mr. Windibank!" "I was afraid that you were engaged." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "My dear Holmes!" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without ashen face. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while crowd. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that read it out to me." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "'I shall certainly be there.' the devil!" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Will you bet, then?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I been able to understand it, in a very few words. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Pool. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had will be renamed. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Was he the only applicant?" "'Oh, no.' absorbing." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Henry Baker is a member." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the inquest, and which are worth considering." again before evening." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was were new raised from a basin. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A developed." "What office?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a which are rolled in Rotterdam." recover the gem." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Precisely." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, presume?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Get out!" said he. "What office?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "To the police?" "I do." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "And for present expenses?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was nights." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of you?' he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed own family. to arrive at through this?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, examine." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up of your young ladies.' small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of