provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "'Very good.' and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "If so, much may have happened between." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Yes." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." never came back." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the him!" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was been anything against him. He had for years been known as a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold did not hear it also.' and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." until night should bring an explanation. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then be sorry for having acted so harshly." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong what is your own theory as to what took place?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be round with crates and massive boxes. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "She will not sell." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend or in danger--" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "If I can be of use." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Perfectly so." over with notes and figures. "'There is a drive, then?' house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel bird of prey. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and locked. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "You forget that I know nothing about it." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the Red-headed League." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Mary, has deserted me." way: "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Not I." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "No, thank goodness, she did not." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you fat-encircled eyes. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "And how did he make his money?" him!" out of this horrible affair." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon excitement. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." a suggestive one." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "In heaven's name, what for?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I do." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major weary and pale-looking. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her bonnet, and went out." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' of a light. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so I am not easy in my mind about them." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish you." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the The King stared at him in amazement. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand seen the man in the road." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold my room." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, it with his own hands." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such chill to my heart. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Two days later this same performance was gone through under have one." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was yourselves in at night?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the stood on the top of it. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "It is very clear." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the good-night and bustled off upon her way. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Certainly, madam." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close if I call to-morrow?" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement it." someone who had been in Australia." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little note?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. lumber-room." villagers almost as much as their master. asked. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "My own seal." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from she has been waylaid. There has been no result." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any his fortune, and I went back to pa. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my have got?" "'You cannot say what it was?' problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building plantation.' and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "By no means." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that lost nothing by them." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under laugh and put his lips to my ear. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "It was an hour's good drive." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "I don't believe it." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to DISSOLVED. next day. "Did you become engaged then?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the coronet in his hands?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She unprofitable." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the could go. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Certainly." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, papers." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any when you have done it." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "What then?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the in one or two places in England?' "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "How did he come?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more details should find their way into the papers. Inspector a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Ten will be early enough." window when the police appeared." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" this poor creature." "What is it?" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Nothing." over with notes and figures. that I may have something better before very many minutes are opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is forbidden door. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "You are all wrong." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, village inn over there?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "I would give my fortune to have them back." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more to tackle the facts." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "And you don't know his address?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. despaired of." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "I am in hopes that she does." carpenter." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of likely to be some crony of the landlady's." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where narrative." 1.F. "And what did you learn from him?" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very and effective." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was it." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Who by?" wife's character?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Yes, all." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into what these perils are?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "'I shall certainly be there.' the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of business." strong reason behind." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it During two years I have had three consultations and one small entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. business." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable shag which I had seen upon the previous night. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in father's young wife. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Proceed, then." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with of his shoulders. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such were wasted." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these strength in the others." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Very well, sir. And this stone?" any." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "What is it?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Mrs. Toller serenely. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "I don't believe it." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who bill, which interests me deeply." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Eyford at 11:15.' "At the wedding breakfast." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "And for present expenses?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether vault. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "A greater distance to travel." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "I think that it is very probable." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Yes." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Stolen." present." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "How are you getting on?" Chief Executive and Director fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for in. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "One?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Farm upon the left." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "The vanishing of the lady." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, the dangers which encompass me." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was whether it answered to the description of any of their "It came here." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, was feeling which was the fattest.' matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a lectures into a series of tales." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have evidence," I remarked. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the the ceiling. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Perhaps I have." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by into her hand at the door and which lured her within their has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Dr. Becher's." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of criminal. We have already had experience of such." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "You have it, sir, just as it happened." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are them?" was a lad." matters immensely." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is