it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have not personally threatened." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Nothing?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to what do you think they found in the pockets?" ago." interest. They are important, you understand, without being "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a exactly what you advise." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "And how?" trying to your nerves." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang congenial hunt. my secret was safe in his possession. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Eyford at 11:15.' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "The vanishing of the lady." DAMAGE. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Precisely." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Who by?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "I don't believe it." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a then?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "'Tell me all about it,' said I. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the stones. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Two days later this same performance was gone through under with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. bill, which interests me deeply." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons room had already been engaged for us. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Have you it here?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Is he quiet?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Sutherland. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then you." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat who was a member of your goose club." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "May I see it?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "But of what society?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "No. What a strange idea!" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some http://www.gutenberg.net array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "You have a clue?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, sooner or later she must fall a victim. "I cannot tell." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it definite end. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "But his lameness?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as see a sister of mine apply for." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled particular state visit http://pglaf.org have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which you for a few hours?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I works. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "It was." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the putting in the horse. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Will you bet, then?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Yes, from Horsham." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I in darkness. pictures, libraries, or plate. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the province." way in everything. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "'Entirely.' at home. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days take the flies, but not before." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you unkempt, staring out at me. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster remarked. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." words came to my lips. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man of a light. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated distance from the station, and there we found the young lady a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted to-night?" I asked. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the breakfast." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, I. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this will he say when he returns?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite fuss that is made over them." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of you came in." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "None. Neville wrote those words." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently and inquire as to the address." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the child." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant mystery!" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then quick march!" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope might help us?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "I see many objections to any such theory." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to drove away. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of wedding?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "'Where to?' "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. bill, which interests me deeply." speckled band?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but against a man in the prime of life?" "'I have already given you my word.' "To an English lawyer named Norton." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter presented more singular features than that which was associated to miss it." I approached. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, tell me that you intended to go into harness." and laid it on the table. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel dates and names. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. little trying to do so much typewriting?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Count Von Kramm." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in experiences." true." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, criminal. We have already had experience of such." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "By all means." "So I heard. You have him here?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my a little more before I quite committed myself. noble correspondent could be. goes." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed back alive. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they this truth that in these little records of our cases which you business in the City. She little knew what. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I it means?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a light and attacked it." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project sound at heart." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts emerged. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his which should have the effect of calling the attention of the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic again, where I was soon asleep. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "But she will refuse." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm 'I should be able to look after that for you.' so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "You think that he is dead?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows legal crime." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: which our visitor detailed to us. will he say when he returns?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I The police have openly confessed that they can at present make gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," national property. I was determined that the law should have its basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid drawing your inferences." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be written, and locked the door of the office after me. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Serpentine Avenue. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "What?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long to have been novel and of interest." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the general public were present, then?" photograph?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine I have it here in my museum." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had you in your example." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Cross for the Continent." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as have accepted such a situation. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of not within a twentieth part of the market price." "But not more so than I to find you." "Yes, it would be as well." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general have one." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." over with notes and figures. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "One?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small later, upon the night of May 2nd." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the strength." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a neither fascinating nor artistic." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. business in the City. She little knew what. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "'I have heard so.' "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. your only hope of safety." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands relief. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not looking up at the numbers of the houses." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the questioning and rather startled gaze. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg highroad, where all traces were lost. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all families. Now for the facts. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Yes." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence already been minutely examined." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be