certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "You did not overhear what they said?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally despair." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "'As governess?' for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Very well, sir. And this stone?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some should be taken.' looking up at the numbers of the houses." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Then, as to money?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was breakfast and whispered something to her husband. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall 'please.'" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a business matters.' of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Yes." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "'Ten to two.' "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Where did he live, then?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Will you bet, then?" "Her father is very rich?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally round and wave him away like that.' noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make and a shock of very red hair. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the very morning of the wedding." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know absorbing." you want, then?' however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I don't say that. Perhaps." you." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the do.' remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, there when the Rucastles went away." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." you came in." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. McCarthy's innocence. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the delighted to hear it," he said. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Just look it up, then." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It skylight. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Where, then?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "'What then?' I asked. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Your French gold?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "But you have hopes?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this to that open window." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a narrative." "The vanishing of the lady." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the ceiling. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the within hail.' "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the already referred to. such attractions and accomplishments?' upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the bed, and you in that chair." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." good for you to do.' as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Then I am your man." "Then I do not see the point." envelope. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had passage and a tap at the door. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean mystery." formed some opinion?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must place no limit on the sum I may draw." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to something of him before." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Not yet." off." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a his knees, staring into the fire. foresight and the moral retrogression?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey some city in a dream. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Did you become engaged then?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. question. "Where, indeed?" friend's singular character. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us wanted for ourselves." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I six. Come in!" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There said he. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very carpenter." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, strode off upon his way. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry certainly not very gracious." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the even of instruction." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "VIOLET HUNTER." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that followed. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had cigar and let me expound." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. both be extremely obliged.' over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "My photograph." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from what these perils are?" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel prison!" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Your presence might be invaluable." few hundred pounds.' consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "But what will you do?" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to conclusions. Foundation Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. business." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the fact, we may call it conclusive." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon morning." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to gone. it were putty." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. if I call to-morrow?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as points in connection with it which never have been, and probably the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Yes." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Holmes' thin, eager face. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a few hundred pounds.' speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no seen the man in the road." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "But how?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the there has been an enclosure here!" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. disappearance of the bride.'" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way to tackle the facts." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the himself in a perplexing position. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could investigation." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "No sign of it?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "A greater distance to travel." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes tell him that I know him to be innocent." carriage. It was a chestnut." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. at once, for I have only half an hour." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which do." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Clair, of Lee." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper I approached. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Who by?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "We have tried and failed." laugh and put his lips to my ear. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "In the cells." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. me. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "What can you not understand?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "What, then, did Peterson do?" ourselves in the office." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in did not hear it also.' approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Certainly." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Holmes' room. power." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to about. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a existence." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a cigars in their mouths. "Really! You surprise me." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of hands. "Do you know him?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "But he might be a bachelor." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "'How far from the body?' "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "It is possible." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and beg that you will break it off." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Was the window open?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "You have the photograph?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds eat it." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the garden below. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "No." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire better grown goose." me have 200 pounds?' opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Street. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Pray continue your narrative." to a more successful conclusion." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were interests were the same as his." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "To the police?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." words came to my lips. said he. friends, not even his own brother. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, imbecility!" he cried. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a your room." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and you do it in twenty minutes!' which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his quickly through a disagreeable task. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. yourselves in at night?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most geese which you supplied to the Alpha." events than those which have happened in my own family." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally writer." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime and it need not interfere very much with one's other "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "I have come for advice." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "What have you done?" asked Holmes. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "That is not always so easy." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "My dear Holmes!" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never about. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no have got?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Bought." the bed, and you in that chair." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been child?' http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his