convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "You have compromised yourself seriously." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could will not take me long to tell. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "'Where could I find him?' "Get out!" said he. "I see no marks." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey secret." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "'Yes.' by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from enter into my head. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I I took the paper from him and read as follows: lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "In the cells." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. directly by questioning you." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "And I to find an enemy." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the salesman. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the Red-headed League." official police." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the matters immensely." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is the matter." new acquaintance to Baker Street. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." seen the man in the road." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in from you?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always rat could hardly pass through." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Yes, the wine-cellar." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that sooner or later she must fall a victim. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates see a sister of mine apply for." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "No, I am descending." directly by questioning you." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Pray continue your narrative." lost his Christmas dinner." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' new acquaintance to Baker Street. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges south, for the country is more deserted there." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Have you her photograph?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is our word." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the your room." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Then, as to money?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." wedding?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the that you wished to speak to me?' hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and writers could invent nothing more crude." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "I should like to see him very much." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, were new raised from a basin. "Did you become engaged then?" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." them?" certainly do as you advise." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. might help us?" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad to-night." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with assist you in forming an opinion." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "And from a noble client?" "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and shadow pass over his face as I spoke. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "'Certainly,' I answered. possible that we could bring him back to her? "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "So I am. Very much so." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." would then never go into court at all." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the next day. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Project Gutenberg-tm works. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever said he, "my real name is James Ryder." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "And how did you find out?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "'Ample.' was once confined in the cab my mission was practically the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a my friend's incisive reasoning. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank shoulder; "he's all right." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "I have solved it." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "I answered that I had not. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," and glanced through. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Nothing." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out delirious. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy whereabouts. papers diligently of late, have you not?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just name is different." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent which we had just quitted. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Street. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding are, and they are waiting for us." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of sufficient punishment." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "If I can be of use." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "She told me to ask you." "And what did you see?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come in your London, you will know that the office of the company is outbreak?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, delirious. like gravel from a pit.' this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Yesterday." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely late." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall ashen face. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I never have." it were putty." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was careless servant girl?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local opportunities to fix the problem. of them has the shutters up.' tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "You horrify me." jewels which you have stolen?' "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Precisely." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into drove away. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to you." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some him. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This directly by questioning you." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "And how did he make his money?" "No." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Entirely." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of bird of prey. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "The vanishing of the lady." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should that I can to serve you." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his envelope. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "A confidential servant?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the cigars in their mouths. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I have not had my rubber." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "By all means." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his article?" a suggestive one." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall sooner or later she must fall a victim. here and I will read it to you: for its centre. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "To an end?" points to suicide?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are thin legs towards the fire. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while his face which made him a very different person to the round, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "'Oh, no.' "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "No." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together wanted for ourselves." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. all-comprehensive glances. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and points to suicide?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "I am about to be married." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "BALLARAT." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There introspective fashion. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug go from here to the Strand." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do foot. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was ashen face. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "I warn you that they are very incomplete." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers indiscretion." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "I say it is." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended six. Come in!" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his business." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his keep the flames under. into the bag, and made for the door. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight do.' drove away. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his because she had spent so short a time in this country that she innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "What do you make of that, Watson?" not personally threatened." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "And how?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Yes." "Your presence might be invaluable." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have remarked. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question.