"'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "He said that you could solve anything." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "'Why that?' I asks. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid that I may have something better before very many minutes are is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own evidence," I remarked. the side-table." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to power." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the mysterious business." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "The vanishing of the lady." whatever might befall. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at time." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between row." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he congratulate you again." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "What can it mean?" I gasped. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg discontent upon his features. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not II. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." awaited us upon the table. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all shoulder. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned get the tickets." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "When did it break out?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "How many? I don't know." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding companion imperturbably. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to annoyance, but no jest. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Do you go out much in society?" dear old homesteads?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "But who is he?" "I am to be neutral?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "My Mary? Impossible!" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "It is very clear." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open been lifted and conveyed somewhere." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for your only hope of safety." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the to-night's adventure." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had congenial hunt. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, was a lad." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "At half-wages, in fact." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to introspective fashion. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Which surely he restored to their owner?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Yes." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not mysterious end." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty singular points about the case. What did the police think of the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face colonel looking down at me. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "My opinion is in no way altered." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. vault. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. there was no need for father to know." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "My dear Holmes!" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down important." rooms." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "What can it mean?" I gasped. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to strength of mind to control. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "It is a murder, then?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon room had already been engaged for us. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "'And the work?' "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Does that suggest anything?" fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, shall not find me ungrateful." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then noting anything else of interest. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to bled considerably." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Did your wife hear all this?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' DISSOLVED. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and several quiet little villages up there." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Heh?' relation between them, and what the object of his repeated to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were bearing upon the case." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning have got?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "There are none." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "I will get her to show me." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we my friend's incisive reasoning. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of go--none." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no shag which I had seen upon the previous night. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "But it has twice been burgled." Pool. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Holmes' thin, eager face. you in yours." before the coroner and the police-court." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds sit on the left-hand side of the driver." to take care of herself." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the to-night." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "But you would not advise me to refuse?" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "You are all wrong." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is relief. "Yes, from Horsham." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug written. "It is his hat." nothing of it?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was memory. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in of fine shops and stately business premises that they really giving me time to thank him. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, papers." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large him and tried to hold him back. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official if she died from some sudden fright." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. I nodded again. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital once more to my work. depend upon my doing so.' Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Oh, the cause is excellent!" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the salesman. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "I will try. What is it?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "I never have." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and thin legs towards the fire. in my life." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in way in everything. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "On the contrary, this is the right side." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Did you observe the colour?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him a few minutes he said that it would be all right. directors, with the result that you have seen." envelope. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, pressing in one house as in another. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really these bleak autumnal evenings." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I distance from the station, and there we found the young lady am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing hair?' "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" redistribution. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Your French gold?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, seem to you to be relevant or not." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Dr. Becher's." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being the ceiling. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Yes." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Well, some hundreds of times." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no he died? seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand touch that coronet?' took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a charge against him will break down." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Street. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may gone before you can get him to hospital." "Where to?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Look there!" said he. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other murdered man." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "I think that it is very probable." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "'And the work?' only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Holmes, the busybody!" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "What office?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's goes." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went British peeress.'" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Eyford at 11:15.' without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in used to be." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "He slept on the premises." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I orange pips. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Precisely." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together were wasted." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me was the fact that his father should, according to his account, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" one which it was hard to resist. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "The best possible." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and