drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and a suggestive one." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "You horrify me!" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "And I." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love me what he had done with the three missing stones. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong the ceiling. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an fait accompli?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Pray do so." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "You have a clue?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend spark where all is dark to me." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss wanted for ourselves." "The vanishing of the lady." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, woven round him. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "'Is 4 pounds a week.' was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. character. "Witness: Nothing definite. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, leaning back in his chair. all?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we and looked back. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where astonishment. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church I leave." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and cheerful." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "I would pay ten." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "That's no good." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided remarked. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a in his power. "If so, much may have happened between." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "But she could not love him." discontent upon his features. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main bonnet, and went out." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the little opening for the ventilator is." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a the little opening for the ventilator is." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Stolen, then." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be call you and give you the chance." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "No, I had a dozen." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for the dangers which encompass me." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of you in your example." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I me. You must get home instantly and act." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no lost nothing by them." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as not fit the lock." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask behind me. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of down from London to inquire more deeply into it." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets you." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. with frightened eyes at his accuser. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love in my life." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "My dear Holmes!" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." note?" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "What is it?" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with outside. "Have you her photograph?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used yourselves in at night?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the annoyance, but no jest. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless power." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us mystery!" danger is over." "Perhaps we may make them less so." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must question you as to those details which seem to me to be most company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has you?' entirely devoid of interest." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the bed, and you in that chair." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in own family. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She article?" cause to be." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we observed. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. carriage. It was a chestnut." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been heavily into it. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked stammered. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Can I be of assistance?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all it right.' that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this asked. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, II. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it place, I think that there is good ground to think that the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off absorbing." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of woman." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Upon what point?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. one else, I think." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Yes?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are to affect your life." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique not personally threatened." that, and I came down." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found swore that no one else had been in the front room during the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the call it cruel." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, remarked. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing one or two very singular points about this room. For example, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to sneer upon his pale face. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' since then to throw any light upon what became of him." be sorry for having acted so harshly." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a me. You must get home instantly and act." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "No, I think that I'll take it." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Where is it, then?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "'In my own bureau.' happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington window when the police appeared." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Entirely." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys hands. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled not come at once?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was His name is Francis Prosper." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found she slowly sank and died without having recovered her her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Quite so. She has her freedom." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "But his lameness?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. certainly do as you advise." place of silver." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that said I. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with one of them." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those own family. these bleak autumnal evenings." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "None." the salesman. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that you." empty. examine." lamp in his hand. bled considerably." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he which was all perfectly true. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying But Holmes shook his head gravely. tell them apart.' had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked strength in the others." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Entirely." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Very murderous indeed." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in me where it went to?" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Henry Baker is a member." "What do you make of that, Watson?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, here and I will read it to you: most interesting one." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Did you become engaged then?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my of his shoulders. spare." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the them, and came down just as you departed. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk completely overtopped every other consideration that we both I shall communicate with you." "Was your sister dressed?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very observed. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and hair?' We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' said he, "my real name is James Ryder." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and presented more singular features than that which was associated better in every way that they should make their position a little bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" them?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "She showed me, as I told you she would." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the loss of it. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless time." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Pope's Court. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave was it brought him the coronet? in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us weary and pale-looking. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him would then never go into court at all." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is