words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "'I have heard so.' "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "What, then?" "It is very clear." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and late." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord away into the river." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted his face. papers must be those that are destroyed.' yourselves in at night?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "But his left-handedness." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the the coronet in his hand?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "They are typewritten," I remarked. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Entirely." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "My Mary? Impossible!" "I would pay ten." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. placed his cuttings. not, dad?" she asked. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "No good news?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Do you know him?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his sooner or later she must fall a victim. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and certainly do as you advise." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "From his hat?" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of was shining brightly. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "None." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. written, and locked the door of the office after me. several quiet little villages up there." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He highly," said Holmes. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "It was." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "And on what day did he meet his death?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see envelope. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." interest. They are important, you understand, without being actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make maiden herself was most instructive." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "None." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "On the contrary, this is the right side." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of you?" "But what is it you wish?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both wedding?" I held the little printed slip to the light. four million human beings all jostling each other within the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or said he, "my real name is James Ryder." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence made his money." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope that he has suffered." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet could not account in any way for the presence of the missing I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Yes?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was take the flies, but not before." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible must compliment you." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I my former friend and companion. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing back to my heart. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Street. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "And help." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of wedding?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon system of imprisonment?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a figure." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled works. See paragraph 1.E below. "The doctor?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was plantation.' bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "It was." with her." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be to change my dress. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from gigantic client. "What do you mean?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "So I have heard." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Yes." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Holmes. the best of training." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might more solid." envelope. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and face and glided from the room. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for straightened it out again. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had despaired of." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," The note was undated, and without either signature or address. interested in these little problems, and since you are good the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and like gravel from a pit.' "It is his hat." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Nothing?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps thought that she would have been so carried away." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "I think that it is very probable." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have tension within him. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Married! When?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "You are hungry," I remarked. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Holmes. get her out of the way." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "I am about to be married." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left my secret was safe in his possession. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, ready to-morrow?' were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out through." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the retorted upon me, and I on you." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back sake, don't!" "Nothing." cost them two and thirty pounds." "I have a cab outside." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in been able to understand it, in a very few words. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out absorbing." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the of them has the shutters up.' someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "At half-wages, in fact." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not come either from the window or the door. My attention was "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the hopeless attempt at recovering them." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Yes." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Of what day?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. writing, and yet I know it well." me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Then, as to money?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "'Where to?' most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "I should like to see him very much." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not begun to whiten, even as mine has." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he an introduction to him?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, answer." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "No?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised to take care of herself." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had McCarthy's innocence. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be could go. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Where, indeed?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce your room." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to room. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' you for a few hours?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient outside." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Where does the thing come from?' wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "But you can know nothing of this?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you strode off upon his way. "An accident, I presume?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the of the one which your family is now devouring." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "How did you deduce the select?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my to-night's adventure." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the lumber-room." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him occupations.' fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one strode off upon his way. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "What of the rat, then?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark me upon any point which I do not make clear." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in most important business. It is probable that he will be away all in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. directly by questioning you."