branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his against a man in the prime of life?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be one of them." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" tension within him. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and a suggestive one." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper him." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that down. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "'Which dealer's?' with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "9th. McCauley cleared. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the of it with the greatest attention. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be instincts rose up against that laugh. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined waste of energy." dear old homesteads?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." your troubles." were unconscious?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Was your sister dressed?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "That sounds a little paradoxical." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "How on earth--" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "'Which dealer's?' the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my seen the man in the road." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "The vanishing of the lady." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her later, upon the night of May 2nd." "I have seen the police." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Yes, only one." "He is still with you, I presume?" with you?" II. towards the blaze. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in dramatic, in fact." without a word or a look. closely." "None. Neville wrote those words." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "I see many objections to any such theory." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly in darkness. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our said he. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Countess of Morcar's?" for and were ordered to this address. it." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. little trying to do so much typewriting?" to have been novel and of interest." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal directors, with the result that you have seen." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "I know where it is." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." cigars in their mouths. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Clair, of Lee." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but instituted." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "My last client of the sort was a king." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "And when will you call?" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Sutherland?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the from you?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I The telegram which we eventually received came late one night authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "You have carte blanche." strength in the others." whatever might befall. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the not, dad?" she asked. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the danger is over." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Quite so." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what only touch the interest." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a roused himself from his reverie. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But ways including including checks, online payments and credit card room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'How far from the body?' human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project since then to throw any light upon what became of him." and laid it on the table. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I as he folded up the epistle. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her at once, for I have only half an hour." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged it? Did I buy the geese off you?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "At what time?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "'In my own bureau.' On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I once more for Briony Lodge. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Will you bet, then?" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of forebodings. "'Ample.' "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you carriage. It was a chestnut." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such introspective fashion. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them garden below. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in other means.' "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first matter." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Then I shall certainly come." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already learned something! Where are the gems?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in get her out of the way." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but kind enough to tell me what I should do." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Dirty?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "You did not overhear what they said?" speckled band?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Countess of Morcar's?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I despaired of." guilty one." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "And who is her maid?" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and all that?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Well, but China?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then think you a quite exceptional woman." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "9th. McCauley cleared. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the do you make of it all?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of will take you up to see the machine.' "And the murderer?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs existence." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "It may not come to that," said Holmes. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, to you." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "My dear Holmes!" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his was used.' of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly floor. money should be paid at once.' knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. overpowering excitement and concern. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, father's young wife. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." married her." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "The Cedars?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "We must have a cab." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Watson," he said cordially. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot formed some opinion?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates prove to be little relation between the different incidents of any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Very truly yours, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Certainly." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Game for a morning drive?" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Then how many are there?" your troubles." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with of the way of danger. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram intimate personal affairs in this public manner." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes married her." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a shall not find me ungrateful." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" matter over." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old arms and began to sob in a high treble key. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the loss of it. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry 1.F. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Chief Executive and Director willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez His smile broadened. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission father's young wife. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "I shall most certainly do so." companion quietly. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Doctor, of the paper and the date." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Well." "Stolen." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his through." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of giving me time to thank him. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at