papers must be those that are destroyed.' were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a fear." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Imitated." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point the armchair which I pushed forward for him. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Yes, there are nearly always some there." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Witness: It was. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set copied or distributed: rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." in a very precise fashion." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the such person." "Why did you beat the pavement?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again gone. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from cigars in their mouths. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Yes, but only for you and me." "The vanishing of the lady." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my as yours." done what I asked you, Jones?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Then I shall certainly come." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Not social, then?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Then what has happened to him?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day American. Then who could this American be, and why should he brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "'Yes, sir.' About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such to Leatherhead. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "And why?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his crime." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his which should have the effect of calling the attention of the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we back to my heart. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London chair. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, into the bag, and made for the door. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself the morning and make my own way in the world.' one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the are, I think, all that we need." a room. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Yes, that is the Crown." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will excitement. cheerful." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a are, I think, all that we need." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" who was a member of your goose club." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the heavily into it. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the is," said he presently: for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no developed." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a experiences." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn one of the states of the Union." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." I was concerned in it." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily figure." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "'You cannot say what it was?' is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that was it brought him the coronet? located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from to his chemical studies. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon written. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too window when the police appeared." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "I have hopes." drawing your inferences." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "'Quite sure, dad.' stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, you for a few hours?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "I saw her in conversation with her maid." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something completely overtopped every other consideration that we both chair. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Yes, at the mines." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock IS He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the jewels which you have stolen?' my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw we went to search for him, face downward in a little man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a hair?' creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, tell him that I know him to be innocent." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the discontent upon his features. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor keep the flames under. had formerly been in part my own. I leave." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "But how?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Dr. Becher's." all?" newspaper selections." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and whether it answered to the description of any of their with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily woman." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the call the police, let the police find what they can.' France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an official police." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a the coronet in his hand?" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Clair, of Lee." some terrible trap for her." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "But how did you gain them?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the conceal it?" Stoke Moran." gives a meaning to it." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he through." "No good news?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Pray be precise as to details," said he. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me papers on the sundial.'" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Henry Baker is a member." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of fait accompli?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted fattened it expressly for you.' fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally within hail.' the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary a very grave face. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were residence of the great financier. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "No." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "But what is it you wish?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right been shamefully used." "Certainly." house for five minutes.' still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce dates and names. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to here." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all crime." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Where did you address your letters, then?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, over with notes and figures. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "But how did you gain them?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain tell me that you intended to go into harness." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they was it brought him the coronet? "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. it were putty." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "You have the photograph?" open." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a only touch the interest." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was outbreak?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few to where he stood hid behind the curtain. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and meant." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out posted to-day." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "When did it break out?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Won't it ring?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Does that suggest anything?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had been with you?" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, of a light. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he is four-and-twenty." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle answer." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "I don't believe it." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Did your wife hear all this?" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "And I to find an enemy." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "BALLARAT." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," events than those which have happened in my own family." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Yes." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at is four-and-twenty." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." to surprise her." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I do." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your garden below. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who any more." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and