business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight away into the river." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some fishes. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of chambers. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "The vanishing of the lady." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears breakfast and whispered something to her husband. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Yes. He waved his hands." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Where, indeed?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "I am to be neutral?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." know all about it," he snarled. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Quite so." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, again, where I was soon asleep. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "But it has twice been burgled." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop upon an income of about 60 pounds." my special province." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," to some other building. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the one as in the other." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I it. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "You are certainly joking, Holmes." wedding?" companion imperturbably. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. one which it was hard to resist. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand that threaten you." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "And is that all?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "I answered that I had not. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Tired-looking or fresh?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Tired-looking or fresh?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." some water from a caraffe. "In what way?" asked Holmes. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can indeed happy." relief. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that never came back." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "At what time?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked everything which you would wish to know." "And for present expenses?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." hands. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back himself. is a common subject for conversation. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of their singular warning or token before them when starting upon was it brought him the coronet? most interesting one." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much your most interesting statement." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I papers." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from sound at heart." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come newspaper selections." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. matter." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Stoke Moran." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon extraordinary contortions. desk. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Miss Holder?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "That sounds a little paradoxical." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in cup of tea. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Texas, I think." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he anything to do with the matter?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to with the outside air!" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since the matter?" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become was a loud and authoritative tap. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Leave Paddington by the 11:15." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "None." "And when will you call?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "On Monday." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Certainly." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "But you have hopes?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, lost nothing by them." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "'Certainly,' I answered. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil occupations.' "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's way: so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, is four-and-twenty." "Bought." lamp in his hand. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong DISSOLVED. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, was already answered. cup of tea. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Then he might have called to you?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This cigars in the box." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he all that?" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of already referred to. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such colonel looking down at me. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, her also." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret bled considerably." individual and becomes the badge of a society." what I may call a really hard day's work." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. been with you?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "He said too much." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done room?" himself to tell his story. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a you for a few hours?" "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Yes, it would be as well." "I see many objections to any such theory." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." three of the beryls in it, was missing. "But how?" "But how will you look?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "He disappeared so suddenly." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "I saw her in conversation with her maid." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an British peeress.'" "Then I do not see the point." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a chambers. "No legal papers or certificates?" ran thus: quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do see me here to avoid scandal." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for one of the states of the Union." again." Pope's Court. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the inquest, and which are worth considering." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the coroner come to?" eavesdroppers?' into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Pray let us have it, for all that." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle flock.' much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax never will be, entirely cleared up. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Stolen, then." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "At half-wages, in fact." "This photograph!" "It is his hat." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Nothing." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and into the bag, and made for the door. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no had no one to advise her at such a crisis." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you acquaintance?" "The gentleman I describe." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Holmes' thin, eager face. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Edgeware Road. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful system of imprisonment?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and simple cases which are so extremely difficult." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. really the only notable feature about the thing." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the in the hope of finding them." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "The doctor?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and like that before?" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you outside. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. help us in this matter." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "It is very clear." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Precisely." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband down in his armchair and closing his eyes. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden leaning back in his chair. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative and the whole place is in a blaze." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "What!" he roared. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "'Quite sure, dad.' never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Eyford." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Pray do so." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little recover the gem." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that shoulder. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric stood on the top of it. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending was it brought him the coronet? as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would money should be paid at once.' when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by know all about it," he snarled. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she answer." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "I have a cab outside." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "But I have heard all that you have heard." death." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "My private note-paper." must be when I saw the door open.' "On your arm?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't just called myself is not exactly my own." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well this unhappy family?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Did your wife hear all this?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "And what did you see?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "A greater distance to travel." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "'Never,' said I. definite end. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact light and attacked it." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, and all of them with the keenest interest. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Who by?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The your only hope of safety." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in vault. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me