imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would matters immensely." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of you?' "I promise," said Holmes. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not it right.' a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter papers." "My private note-paper." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were foresight and the moral retrogression?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one been." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "And what did you learn from him?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" future lives." business in the City. She little knew what. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a had this final quarrel? asked. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had assist you in forming an opinion." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "I cannot say that I have." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of at a side door. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the stammered. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Yes, sir." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his peculiar to him. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last look dissatisfied." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Henry Baker is a member." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "But she will refuse." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to politicians who had been sent down from the North. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An round with crates and massive boxes. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! that you wished to speak to me?' it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap straighten it?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists your sleep?' are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "'In my own bureau.' propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was problems help me to do so." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "And how?" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the there was no need for father to know." correct than the official force." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the night.' awkward doing business with an alias." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered do you make of it all?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of habit of advancing money.' and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "About a month then." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat everything which you would wish to know." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Will you go?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker round with crates and massive boxes. is acting for the best. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and happened." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss people don't know." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "No." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is front of me. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight disturbance in my wife." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Was she in good spirits?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Because he was handy and would come cheap." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "There are none." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Two days later this same performance was gone through under man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of entirely lost his self-respect." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "You will not go there first?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "It is very kind of you." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I already referred to. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Yes, all." fishes. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "How did that help you?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that acted in my house last night?" questioning and rather startled gaze. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." dear old homesteads?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce power." address. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual it." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that it." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Henry Baker is a member." in this note: Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "What will you say?" delirious. "I will not look." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. comes from the middle window." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped chill to my heart. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of it with his own hands." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "In the cells." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this everything which you would wish to know." to tackle the facts." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "I never have." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of entirely devoid of interest." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Then, as to money?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "But of what society?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "And why?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Then how many are there?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she train from Paddington which would bring you there at about highly," said Holmes. "And for present expenses?" Farm upon the left." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "To ruin me." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "The vanishing of the lady." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "An enemy?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which look dissatisfied." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "In the cells." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "You have the photograph?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and head. So long, then!" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "None. Neville wrote those words." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The formed some opinion?" "'Yes, sir.' My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will fatally injured? downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "It is very clear." father's place of business?" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into within hail.' "Thank you. And your address?" the stones. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Did you observe the colour?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from own family. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he might have a private word with us. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one John Swain, of St. Augustine. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Imitated." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "When did it break out?" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into fashion which was peculiar to him. security.' ran thus: leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'I shall certainly be there.' "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "But to whom?" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "No." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, he bowed and left the room without another word. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Has he come with you to-night?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "'Where could I find him?' reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "He slept on the premises." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily you." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached disturbance in my wife." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the only touch the interest." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "The rest you will leave in our hands." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock along the entire front of the house, with three long windows leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were had picked up in the wood. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few in my life." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "'Yes.' I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he place, I think that there is good ground to think that the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on me. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Ah!" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest