interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, was a lad." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "But he might be a bachelor." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Then I can wait in the next room." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to during that time.' have an American origin." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight formed some opinion?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "This photograph!" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "'What are you doing there?' he asked. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I don't believe it." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, results." asked with his eyes open. Clair, of Lee." retorted upon me, and I on you." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "None. Neville wrote those words." crime." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how colonel looking down at me. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as be best to do. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and in my life." to change my dress. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. points to suicide?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat me upon any point which I do not make clear." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "And what then?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Ha! you find it so?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "'Yes, sir.' night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "She walked into the breakfast-room." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that have not had my rubber." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Frequently." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the once more. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "None." other, as fresh and trim as possible. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; that I may have something better before very many minutes are Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, man. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and of his shoulders. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may upon the sideboard." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." later, upon the night of May 2nd." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Yes." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, where we are going." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "In the cells." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming six. Come in!" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon some water from a caraffe. "But what will you do?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was was used.' and the church but not where the lady lived." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "In what way?" asked Holmes. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and of Mr. Rucastle's." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If II. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the undoubtedly my uncle's." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in companion quietly. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Why serious?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "How did you deduce the select?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I very old mansion. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." awkward doing business with an alias." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George lids now and glanced across at his visitor. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were interests were the same as his." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "And your father? Did you tell him?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "'What then?' I asked. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Have you good authority for what you say?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to DAMAGE. "Imitated." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and hurried away. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were what is your own theory as to what took place?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "What do you mean?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered signal between you and your father? "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this skylight. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK since then to throw any light upon what became of him." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has meanly of me." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "I will not look." "So I have heard." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a politicians who had been sent down from the North. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "I am about to be married." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice written, and locked the door of the office after me. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was questionable one." Sholtos." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Was he the only applicant?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Was he the only applicant?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during infinite languor in his face. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" whole matter to your consideration." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, recover the gem." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this affection." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the II. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some promised to bring home. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another me, and I could not think that his explanation of the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in of." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon three of the beryls in it, was missing. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right yet." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the giving me time to thank him. "Entirely." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Yes?" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you power." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Yes." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat weapon." are, and they are waiting for us." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of been able to understand it, in a very few words. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Could he throw no light?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the already referred to. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then and a shock of very red hair. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "At half-wages, in fact." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "I think that it is very probable." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be people don't know." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We bearing upon the case." "By all means." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Where, then, is my wife?" the driver. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor such person." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Two days later this same performance was gone through under assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the over part of the map. "What do you read?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "And for present expenses?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Never to return." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress and the colonel ushered me in. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Yes." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at dead, shall be safe with us." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped girl said." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable easy-going way." returning from some small jollification and was making his way prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. dramatic, in fact." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable do.' in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." she might be summoned. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Quite so. She has her freedom." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are point our research must commence, and we will begin it by and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from dear old homesteads?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill have one." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "This concluded the examination of the witness." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here fashion which was peculiar to him. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "My Mary? Impossible!" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to wedding?" distinguish the words: We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "The vanishing of the lady." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence one of them." "I cannot tell." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. his face. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but daring than any effort of the imagination." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a the one as in the other." trying to your nerves." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set of his shoulders. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "How often?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his man. I know him from the photograph." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would said I. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of just called myself is not exactly my own." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded