pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of yet." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here have one." "Could he throw no light?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange burst out into a roar of laughter. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the was shining brightly. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Holmes' face clouded over. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Yes, he did." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Absolutely none." "Yes, only one." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, very morning of my second wedding." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I even so self-evident a thing as that." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "It is his hat." "Will you bet, then?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and as this. Pray let me have the details." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Yes." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the very morning of the wedding." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and October 9, 1890. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who arrangements." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an second." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." was feeling which was the fattest.' trifles." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in she to prove their authenticity?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible lumber-room." "He said too much." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "My dear Holmes!" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm rose-bushes. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Is he quiet?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "I know where it is." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Henry Baker is a member." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said hair?' to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "We must have a cab." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "I fear not." evidence," I remarked. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I awaited us upon the table. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "I think it very unlikely." learned something! Where are the gems?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "'You doubt its value?' he asked. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Why did you beat the pavement?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop bore every mark of being an average commonplace British England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. know what is wrong with it.' the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the secret." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "I am sure." writer." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "My dear Holmes!" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet of note-paper. It read in this fashion: moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever me where it went to?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A wedding?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Really! You surprise me." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these very morning of my second wedding." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Nothing." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely man. I know him from the photograph." murdered man." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "It goes to the housekeeper's room." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Sutherland?" than to us. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under nothing of it?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" when you have done it." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to became a certainty. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Lee, in the county of Kent." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Stolen, then." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been your sleep?' conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "'And what salary do you ask?' running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE formed some opinion?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her papers must be those that are destroyed.' justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a lost nothing by them." wedding?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "But his left-handedness." see me here to avoid scandal." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I relation between them, and what the object of his repeated St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any away into the river." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which papers on the sundial.'" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a fear." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond have one." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return written, and locked the door of the office after me. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies his knees, staring into the fire. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Do you know him?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Pray do so." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "When did she vanish, then?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his gentleman's clothes. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to it? Did I buy the geese off you?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" that he has suffered." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote occurred." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King triumphant cloud from his cigarette. easy-going way." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind to-night?' "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" before the coroner and the police-court." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate cost them two and thirty pounds." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as chair. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "You horrify me." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Yes, that is the Crown." easy-going way." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Yes." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. other lovers by making love himself." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord were new raised from a basin. "Dirty?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Ten will be early enough." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "You heard nothing yourself last night?" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that you?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To asked with his eyes open. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Pray tell us what has happened to you." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. you, my dear young lady?' "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near power." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "And Irene Adler?" way: much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "But he might be a bachelor." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get page at http://pglaf.org to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "I am to be neutral?" which our visitor detailed to us. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not forehead. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his it." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been him and tried to hold him back. plantation.' side. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon annoyance, but no jest. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found outside." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Street. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one burst into a hearty fit of laughter. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not train from Paddington which would bring you there at about England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, than to us. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "That also I could fathom." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "May I see it?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are the driver. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "The vanishing of the lady." him. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not few hundred pounds.' "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Edgeware Road. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! vague figure huddled up in the darkness. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Precisely." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." looking up at the numbers of the houses." wedding?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "'It is locked up,' I answered. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "But you were on a friendly footing?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be of this gang." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a read over the extraordinary announcement. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort the one as in the other." your only hope of safety." done what I asked you, Jones?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just not come at once?" "Your sister is dead, then?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "In which, sir?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the side-table." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him triumphant cloud from his cigarette. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Whose house is it?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. his face which made him a very different person to the round, myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "It was." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable into the room. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had narrative." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a business in the City. She little knew what. "No, thank goodness, she did not." and glanced through. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at strong and stiff." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "'I am sure that I do not know.' for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'And the work?' interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in