"'If you please, Miss Stoper.' best detective that ever lived. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me morning." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin over with notes and figures. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "'Very good.' a very grave face. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "I never have." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "What office?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies lips." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily legal crime." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am gbnewby@pglaf.org do.' this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Dark enough and sinister enough." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Yes, sir." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could down from London to inquire more deeply into it." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "I have seen the police." but preventing her from injuring another. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Thank you. Pray proceed." closely." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing assist you in forming an opinion." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for be.' He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She dear old homesteads?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should detained." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he keep the flames under. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "One of the highest in England." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or ran thus: laugh and put his lips to my ear. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "I should like to see him very much." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Very much so." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers certainly not very gracious." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Of Friday, June 19th." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "It looks newer than the other things?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Clair, of Lee." tension within him. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." speckled band?" not come at once?" the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "What shall I do?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what place, I think that there is good ground to think that the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands ago." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There done what I asked you, Jones?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Ten will be early enough." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "I was afraid that you were engaged." detained." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by generous with you in money matters.' think that he is innocent?" morning." "No good news?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Doctor, of the paper and the date." of them has the shutters up.' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and in the dead of the night?' of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my she used." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper The police have openly confessed that they can at present make received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "I should like to see him very much." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in The telegram which we eventually received came late one night surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some that I can to serve you." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This conclusions. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his to arrive at through this?" "Nothing." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up down from London to inquire more deeply into it." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed wedding?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "'I am sure that I do not know.' since then to throw any light upon what became of him." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "I answered that I had not. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have words came to my lips. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most him, that man would not have given me such complete information window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the business in the City. She little knew what. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously will take you up to see the machine.' was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Count Von Kramm." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Stoke Moran?" said he. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his guilty parties." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the stones. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as questionable one." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to delighted to hear it," he said. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not over with notes and figures. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from redistribution. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged used to be." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle you give your casting vote to?" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "One?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "I do." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by recover the gem." "I came to find a friend." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the look upon these things in a different way." lips." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the dangers which encompass me." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "'What do you call purely nominal?' He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. himself to hunt down. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "It is possible." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between point in the dark hollow of his hand. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Yes, all." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe little adventures." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied next day. take the flies, but not before." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "And now?" I asked. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "How can you tell that?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong dead, shall be safe with us." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a like gravel from a pit.' Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "I am about to be married." villagers almost as much as their master. him!" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel bare slabs of marble. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "And it is--" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done ventilator." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many just ask you whether you had heard it.' "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "'Never,' said I. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. The events in question occurred in the early days of my "The vanishing of the lady." disturbance in my wife." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an there in twenty minutes." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps enough to aid us in our search." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "And help." "How did you trace it, then?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that easy-going way." "You are all wrong." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Oh, fresh and glossy." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "And Irene Adler?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "No, finished." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing my room." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote whatever might befall. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Miss Holder?" "Do you know him?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of little adventures." have been better. It is all right." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Where does the thing come from?' "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "But you have hopes?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "'Quite sure, dad.' "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "By no means." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first into her hand at the door and which lured her within their work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the driver. "You horrify me." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have in darkness. within hail.'