"And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid crime. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Of what?" "That was it, sir." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "And it is--" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Where does the thing come from?' both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation out of this horrible affair." promised to bring home. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "You know me, then?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Absolutely none." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Never to return." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did clang of the bell. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and your co-operation." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Entirely." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" into the room. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he I think that I could be of assistance to you." ways of our fellow-men." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he in the dead of the night?' Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of reach." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money sooner or later she must fall a victim. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "It is very clear." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I was it brought him the coronet? we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Dirty?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for voice, changing her seat as requested. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, opened the door, and slipped through. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your furiously. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage lamp in his hand. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "May I see it?" at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "But how?" him and tried to hold him back. obstinate." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "And the cigar-holder?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can round and wave him away like that.' scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I cannot tell." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind locked. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then whereabouts. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the But Holmes shook his head gravely. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle copied or distributed: in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." her also." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to The events in question occurred in the early days of my It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the photograph?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "And now?" I asked. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Precisely." "It surprised me." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "None." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Yes, only one." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, his knees, staring into the fire. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a spark where all is dark to me." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, article?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was did not hear it also.' little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out so far?" There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for on in his house." "Will you bet, then?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Have you good authority for what you say?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but crime." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Farm upon the left." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist stammered. mysterious end." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "'Yes, sir.' "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "No, distinctly professional." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Mary, has deserted me." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "The rest you will leave in our hands." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the lamp in his hand. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "What can you not understand?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Never." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through upon an income of about 60 pounds." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard never came back." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "'Yes.' word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every approach us with offers to donate. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." events than those which have happened in my own family." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. and put his glass in his pocket. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "No good news?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Absolutely?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" the very morning of the wedding." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the three fields round his house, and there he would take his between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "'Which dealer's?' corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this tension within him. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler acted in my house last night?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Which are?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up a good hundred miles off by now." looking up at the numbers of the houses." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is cheerful." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Her father is very rich?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it his forehead." in this way: "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and maiden herself was most instructive." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "I am still in the dark." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the it." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I retorted upon me, and I on you." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Won't it ring?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "It's nothing of the kind." carriage. It was a chestnut." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had instituted." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son other, as fresh and trim as possible. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers you came in." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "The vanishing of the lady." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. footfalls from the street. tapping his fingers upon the table. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other infinite languor in his face. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I over here." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until is now desirous of getting those letters back." "You are all wrong." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the papers on the sundial.'" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up will take you up to see the machine.' and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back 'please.'" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "When did she vanish, then?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Where to?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "'Yes.' pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over believe that I should never have any practice at all. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. me upon any point which I do not make clear." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which maid will bring up your coffee." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under right! Sit down and let us talk it over." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Mary, has deserted me." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a key of the affair now." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Yes, that is the Crown." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I cannot imagine." "Bought." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Where, then?" "I am to be neutral?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak friends, not even his own brother. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when in his hands." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite standing smiling on the door-step. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular woven round him. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "My private note-paper." you." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the address that was given us in the advertisement. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had I approached. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and was the fact that his father should, according to his account, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I them, and came down just as you departed. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Foundation he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "I shall most certainly do so." "But your client--" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have to go into your room and bar your shutters?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Where is it, then?" to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "I would give my fortune to have them back." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Very much so." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one in the hope of finding them." his huge brown hands. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. the best of training." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.'