money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "What, then, did Peterson do?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried been lifted and conveyed somewhere." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "I am sure." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "The vanishing of the lady." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Quite so. She has her freedom." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "I was mad--insane." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out not personally threatened." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by excitement. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "So I am. Very much so." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is words came to my lips. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So experiences." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, when you have done it." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "And now?" He raised his hand. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "It was an hour's good drive." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "The doctor?" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Holmes' room. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Yes." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "In what way?" asked Holmes. out of this horrible affair." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Pray do so." to-night?' that I can to serve you." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Then what has happened to him?" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he maiden herself was most instructive." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly me." must be when I saw the door open.' never came back." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Holmes. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. guilty one." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he emerged. envelope. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it are, and they are waiting for us." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Surrey." purpose of examination. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then back alive. "What will you do, then?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." of his shoulders. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks child?' who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "And who is her maid?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Not social, then?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' nice household for a young lady." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "What do you mean?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "'Certainly not. But why?' down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as disturbance in my wife." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "It is his hat." The King stared at him in amazement. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, them?" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally of it with the greatest attention. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the wedding?" "Yes, sir." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps once more for Briony Lodge. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to on re-entering her father's house?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the armchair which I pushed forward for him. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Tired-looking or fresh?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' fled together." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and morning." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE horse could go." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the child." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "What can it mean?" I gasped. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or carpenter." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come four million human beings all jostling each other within the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "You don't mind breaking the law?" The King stared at him in amazement. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found waste of energy." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client once more to my work. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had his eyes and forehead. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the know all about it," he snarled. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and seven miles from Eyford Station.' "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "'Certainly,' I answered. be there in time for your coming." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past union?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "The decline of his fortunes, then?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we lost nothing by them." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "'Certainly,' I answered. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can of campaign. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like that you can jump it.' I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "He said too much." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Here?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands perplexity from it to my illustrious client. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "That is possible." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon emerged. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "'Tell me all about it,' said I. when you have done it." wedding?" "'I have heard so.' had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. joking. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time train from Paddington which would bring you there at about over here." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in if I call to-morrow?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "I say it is." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "It was an hour's good drive." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "In San Francisco, a year ago." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended But Holmes shook his head gravely. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then strode off upon his way. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend visitors." "Could he throw no light?" "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the went to the Alpha were town bred." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in bill, which interests me deeply." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way again." http://gutenberg.net/license). third from London." "Nothing." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Texas, I think." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, national property. I was determined that the law should have its received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll on in his house." them present such singular features as the strange train of Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally intrusion of other matters." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the my secret was safe in his possession. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain prove to be little relation between the different incidents of seen the man in the road." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my help us in this matter." the coronet in his hand?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning guilty one." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the some water from a caraffe. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "But you have hopes?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Cross for the Continent." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just fait accompli?" noting anything else of interest. that I may have something better before very many minutes are gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a your co-operation." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Yes, certainly." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my silent! Oh, he will be silent!' time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "We must have a cab." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty approach us with offers to donate. note?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the date of his supposed suicide." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California in him." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that occupations.' good for you to do.' "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "One of the highest in England." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have over his head with a sweet womanly caress. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until gentleman's clothes. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Yes, from Horsham." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the followed. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "That is easily got." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was burst into a hearty fit of laughter. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a not within a twentieth part of the market price." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Holmes' face clouded over. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. notes," he said. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Not social, then?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "How can you tell that?" standing smiling on the door-step. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Yes." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and mystery!" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. pictures, libraries, or plate. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is it were putty." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very been able to understand it, in a very few words. entirely devoid of interest." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my towards the blaze. allusion to a rat. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Street. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set front of me. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." hour."