certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "He said that you could solve anything." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." wedding?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "In San Francisco, a year ago." said he. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. returning from some small jollification and was making his way George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune colonel looking down at me. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Was your sister dressed?" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long done what I asked you, Jones?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few closely." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I cause to be." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "A thing like a cleaver," said he. seven miles from Eyford Station.' to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper that I can to serve you." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "The vanishing of the lady." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, noting anything else of interest. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical letters?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Where does the thing come from?' envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, it." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Sutherland. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "How did that help you?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money back alive. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, salesman. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in means taking possession of that which another person has a prior you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "But of what society?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. matters immensely." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Well, some hundreds of times." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no strong reason behind." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast lamp. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "What will you do, then?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "An accident, I presume?" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent him nearly every evening." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, the side-table." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my both be extremely obliged.' over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'It is locked up,' I answered. "No, my brougham is waiting." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the round and wave him away like that.' reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature morning." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, when you have done it." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular mysterious business." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where to change my dress. was already answered. "Nothing." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we success. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough you." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his would then never go into court at all." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. do.' bears upon the case?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were been able to understand it, in a very few words. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Holmes' thin, eager face. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the IS goes." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. experiences." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Farm upon the left." it." it." for and were ordered to this address. any little problem which you may submit to me." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "And you can do nothing until then?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Very. But will he see it?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking assist you in forming an opinion." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "She walked into the breakfast-room." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, arrested. You then--" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the next day. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "'What, the red-headed man?' the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to murdered man." lamp. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged door?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand where she found matters as described by the last witness. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently to surprise her." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Pray let us have it, for all that." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from kindly on the shoulder. "But to whom?" overpowering excitement and concern. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Then you may be so with me." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To individual and becomes the badge of a society." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "I cannot think." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "No, finished." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, for its centre. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you think, you have already met." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her only touch the interest." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "How do you know, then?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. skylight. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "I never have." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "And you don't know his address?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "In which, sir?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Ten will be early enough." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so himself in a perplexing position. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of to-morrow." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, business in the City. She little knew what. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of and capable of preserving a secret.' "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features these bleak autumnal evenings." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness even of instruction." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "What will you do, then?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened works. See paragraph 1.E below. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining definite end. said he. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of over his head with a sweet womanly caress. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the question. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was you do it in twenty minutes!' not use it unless it is absolutely needed." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place this man was intellectual?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Nothing." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Do you go out much in society?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that situation." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place his grey eyes. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa business matters.' very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "How on earth--" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "None. Neville wrote those words." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive introspective fashion. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, hands. himself to hunt down. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss front of me. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from very old mansion. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which use an arc-and-compass breastpin." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to at once, for I have only half an hour." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier in a very precise fashion." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. could not have written that. It is the German who is so into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I one of them." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" official police." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Well, some hundreds of times." The King stared at him in amazement. "Do you go out much in society?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Perhaps we may make them less so." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Holmes." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are locked." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he some place of shelter and let the county police know what has