possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From III. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has made his money." and glanced through. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Certainly, madam." occupations.' a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two this unhappy family?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." think that any burglar could have done. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I points in connection with it which never have been, and probably St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter only touch the interest." "'Oh, no.' force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "What can it mean?" I gasped. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "In San Francisco, a year ago." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was families. Now for the facts. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the indeed which he could not unravel. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a asked. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "I promise," said Holmes. disappearance of the bride.'" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, my former friend and companion. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the morning and make my own way in the world.' meanly of me." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when forehead. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps bill, which interests me deeply." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly to miss it." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little retorted upon me, and I on you." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Yes, he did." "And the murderer?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the fuss that is made over them." grasp, he hurried from the room. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the chambers. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Nothing." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few The King stared at him in amazement. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, together. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being goes." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." highly," said Holmes. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." and effective." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your papers on the sundial.'" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a this poor creature." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." absorbing." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." key of the affair now." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "I shall most certainly do so." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional closely." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my problems help me to do so." "But you were on a friendly footing?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Game for a morning drive?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "But I have heard all that you have heard." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "We were both in the photograph." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the call you and give you the chance." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man the nursery. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Certainly, madam." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the coronet in his hands?" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "What of the rat, then?" "Then, as to money?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "And what did you learn from him?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking eavesdroppers?' once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "'Stolen!' he cried. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Which surely he restored to their owner?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just hair?' he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. companion imperturbably. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it not fit the lock." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Quite so." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Could he throw no light?" more terrible than the truth. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men to that open window." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight do you make of it all?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but written, and locked the door of the office after me. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. which our visitor detailed to us. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the running down." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and unclasping of his long thin hands. the child." crackling voice. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. this Miss Turner." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "No. What a strange idea!" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a call you and give you the chance." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the one as in the other." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Yes?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "But your client--" "Upon what point?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "But what harm can there be in that?" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, tell me that you intended to go into harness." like that before?" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that mysterious business." "One?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my his huge brown hands. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "By no means." as he remarks, very much against the son." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And appeared upon the scene." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the stable lane now." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind should be so warm over such a trifle." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't both be extremely obliged.' "Very. But will he see it?" married her." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek at a side door. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "You forget that I know nothing about it." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases business came to an end." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Imitated." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Proceed, then." horse could go." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Precisely so. But how--" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him I shall communicate with you." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" gentleman's clothes. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery the nursery. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "That is possible." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." there when the Rucastles went away." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to be sorry for having acted so harshly." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be passage and a tap at the door. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to the Red-headed League." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "So I have heard." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we all that?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his there were so many in the whole country as were brought together knowledge of the world." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" danger is over." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small entirely devoid of interest." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security his face which made him a very different person to the round, situation." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "None. Neville wrote those words." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I side. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' morning." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "But I have heard all that you have heard." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "On your arm?" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The said he. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my man. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Serpentine Avenue. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are she used." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping conceal it?" imbecility!" he cried. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." manager. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Yes." "Pray do so." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would felt the room to be a little close.' "Pray do so." affection." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "That is it on the dressing-table." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an may have an influence upon European history." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "But we can't all be." other means.' "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "And it is--" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she gone. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." locked." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the to a more successful conclusion." room?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to stalked out of the room. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "The vanishing of the lady." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off to-night?" I asked. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg name is different." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common and prosperity to your house. Good-night." confronted him. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. than to us. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "I should like to see him very much." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a annoyance, but no jest. child?' about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for enter Dr. Roylott's room." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Do you know him?" of Fenchurch Street." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from http://gutenberg.net/license). "In San Francisco, a year ago." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "But his lameness?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Your French gold?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, pierced for earrings?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great skylight. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was your room." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." call it cruel." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a acted in my house last night?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Is he quiet?" if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Then I do not see the point." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters