that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Heh?' him!" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads visitors." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "What will you do, then?" seen the man in the road." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between London for the present?" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an wall." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even your room." "The Cedars?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no had this final quarrel? "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Thank you. Pray proceed." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four there is a decided draught." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most horse could go." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Sholtos." exactly what you advise." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "To an English lawyer named Norton." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Certainly, madam." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. public press." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'Then let me do so?' jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "But you can know nothing of this?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about works. See paragraph 1.E below. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly himself. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this one of them." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while friends, not even his own brother. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We For additional contact information: unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal his face which made him a very different person to the round, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered whether it answered to the description of any of their wedding?" bled considerably." believe that I should never have any practice at all. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is knowledge of the world." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while yet." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "May I see it?" reach." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she weighed down with some great anxiety. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "She told me to ask you." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than pressing in one house as in another. "Did you become engaged then?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, your equipment. appeal." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. been shamefully used." meanly of me." long narrative. burst out into a roar of laughter. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "It may not come to that," said Holmes. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, tied." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the to his chemical studies. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Yes." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove papers diligently of late, have you not?" pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'And the work?' thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, that, and I came down." amused." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a appeal." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Street. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the events than those which have happened in my own family." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "None." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue followed. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the window, rose as we entered. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly brain must have something in it." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "I have a cab outside." room?" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "An enemy?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all gone before you can get him to hospital." secret." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "One?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Dirty?" visitors." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" and effective." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the discontent upon his features. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Do you know him?" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this there was no need for father to know." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his had picked up in the wood. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat joking. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove and laid it on the table. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "What! You do not mean bodies?" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "'And the work?' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the you." closing the door. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." hand, madam?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the goes." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing night.' said he. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the matter." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a delighted to hear it," he said. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was that I can to serve you." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the but preventing her from injuring another. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "The murder was done with it." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "From his hat?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too would apply.' depend upon your compliance." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "To an English lawyer named Norton." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "'Yes, it was gone.' received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "In what way?" asked Holmes. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some second." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to introspective fashion. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "I don't say that. Perhaps." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly touch that coronet?' down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "What is it, then--a fire?" the child." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them delighted to hear it," he said. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "I cannot imagine." "'It is locked up,' I answered. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "That is easily got." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was putting in the horse. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her system of imprisonment?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "She told me to ask you." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside along the entire front of the house, with three long windows reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "And I say east," said my patient. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is go back?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "What is it, then--a fire?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the might have a private word with us. straightened it out again. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "I say it is." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend searched, without anything being found which could incriminate or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, man. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Not in the least." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who possible that we could bring him back to her? I leave." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I cannot think." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in ourselves in the office." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Then I do not see the point." voice, changing her seat as requested. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor your own bird, so if you wish--" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Nor running a chance of arrest?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "No, I think that I'll take it." gone before you can get him to hospital." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "It is possible." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "But how?" "My opinion is in no way altered." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Why? What do you mean?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "The vanishing of the lady." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "I think that it is very probable." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Whose house is it?" south, for the country is more deserted there." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat peculiar to him. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid never to learn it at all." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than maiden herself was most instructive." "'It is locked up,' I answered. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of conversation I have gathered that they have been married about 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "The vanishing of the lady." "Pray let us have it, for all that." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when behind me. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "A confidential servant?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend himself in a perplexing position. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood it." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident