hardly wander." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "He is dead," cried several voices. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "VIOLET HUNTER." rooms." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum three fields round his house, and there he would take his to that open window." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is of Mr. Rucastle's." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of key of the affair now." if only as a check to my own memory." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "I am in hopes that she does." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "How did he come?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I say that I have solved it." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and always that they were such commands as a lady might with at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice unprecedented a position." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "That is not always so easy." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, certainly do as you advise." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Stoke Moran." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "It is possible." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "I do." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Pope's Court. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no what do you think they found in the pockets?" Holmes. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Texas, I think." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Married! When?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim the coronet at all injured?" whole matter to your consideration." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "I saw her in conversation with her maid." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Was there a secret marriage?" "Nothing?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue key turn in the lock." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe chair. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on strength of mind to control. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "This photograph!" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "What can you not understand?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." my little problems." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the have not had my rubber." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of your bag." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," window when the police appeared." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. nights." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every official police." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office husband's writing, madam." kindly on the shoulder. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "What then?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "What office?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "My Mary? Impossible!" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments think you a quite exceptional woman." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a bird I ate is country bred." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "No." nonsense.' near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by vault. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "And on what day did he meet his death?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever you." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it digesting their breakfasts at home." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had in his power. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, tell him that I know him to be innocent." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just fasten all the windows?" conclusions. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "And it is--" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "I know where it is." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I should be immensely obliged to you." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by when your master had gone out." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I His smile broadened. pierced for earrings?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "But how?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the roots. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the prison!" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain know that the truth is known." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an thirty. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "But his lameness?" "Dr. Becher's." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the coroner come to?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a at home. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "I never have." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out away into the river." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a anything to do with the matter?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was here." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, suspect him." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Pray do so." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had useful material for showing traces. The double line a little my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! walking." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "A call for help, you thought?" he bowed and left the room without another word. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Surrey." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have little adventures." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. strode off upon his way. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a wedding?" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "But of what society?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are happened." "Why, what do you mean?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that appointment with me for six o'clock?" "But the mystery?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. without a word or a look. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said in the dead of the night?' colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled him, that man would not have given me such complete information of the way of danger. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Yes, the wine-cellar." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me wedding?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until in the port of London." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." I was concerned in it." "By no means." ago." "Nothing." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "ARAT," I read. "And it is--" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though voice, changing her seat as requested. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "It is half-past ten now." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You case before our client came into the room." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The generous with you in money matters.' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I to-night?' "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your views." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an your equipment. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that His smile broadened. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the then?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "If I can be of use." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "The vanishing of the lady." if only as a check to my own memory." "Won't it ring?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a entirely lost his self-respect." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her once more for Briony Lodge. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "May I see it?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and window when the police appeared." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Yes." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." that he will be back before evening." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over happened." the roots. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. where we are going." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! and laid it on the table. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, think you a quite exceptional woman." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I am sure." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to shoulder. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "How about poison?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been populous neighbourhood." away to you." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of national property. I was determined that the law should have its battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events colonel looking down at me. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our papers." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Gutenberg-tm License. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "But to whom?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a relief. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the