subject to the trademark license, especially commercial upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond in darkness. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Murdered?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line not come at once?" "But we can't all be." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to forbidden door. "Well, but China?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my too. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently hour." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. him to go away.' wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "I have solved it." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." the station." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always behind me. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "It certainly sounds feasible." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "But his lameness?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "I have my revolver," said I. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the coronet in his hands?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "You will not go there first?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the roots. The events in question occurred in the early days of my Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, disappearance of these gems?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he cause to be." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. in my life." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Of Friday, June 19th." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my had died away into the silence from which it rose. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor writers could invent nothing more crude." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Do you receive much company?" he asked. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "'Yes, it was gone.' "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "'No, I know no one in these parts.' mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Where to?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of his forehead." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a business at Coburg Square is serious." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so my special province." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." be.' man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a late." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is straightened it out again. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Yes, sir." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." locked. that threaten you." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which geese which you supplied to the Alpha." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any the tragedy. purpose of examination. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so galvanised. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two least a fellow-countryman. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Yes." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. hour?' it? Did I buy the geese off you?" gone before you can get him to hospital." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that pictures, libraries, or plate. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of there when the Rucastles went away." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." problems help me to do so." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "'A dozen yards or so.' "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Yes." there is a decided draught." voice. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind bell. Holmes whistled. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had correct than the official force." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "The vanishing of the lady." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "And I say east," said my patient. "In which, sir?" to-night's adventure." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. said I. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Do you receive much company?" he asked. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Yes, all." down. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be minor matters until to-morrow." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in own family. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "You have the photograph?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to and the colonel ushered me in. chair. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the said I. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "You forget that I know nothing about it." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in to where he stood hid behind the curtain. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, chambers. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "It looks newer than the other things?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible You want to know what became of those geese?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Did he not advertise?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found During two years I have had three consultations and one small tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "I am about to be married." remarked. the address that was given us in the advertisement. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "That was it, sir." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' copied or distributed: "On your arm?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." indeed which he could not unravel. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey and I shall be with you presently." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I recover the gem." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "I am following you closely," I answered. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." beyond words. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. less than 26s. 4d. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and once more for Briony Lodge. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every matter." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "No." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position bird I ate is country bred." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it events, Mr. Windibank!" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the burst out into a roar of laughter. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Yes, sir." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me said I. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am are windows in it, of course?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Then what has happened to him?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in before, for it was considerably after midnight. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed nonsense.' came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young door?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated John Swain, of St. Augustine. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Yes, he did." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are be. "Where did you address your letters, then?" done what I asked you, Jones?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may examination of the premises, but without finding anything which and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. as he folded up the epistle. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." to-night?" I asked. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll from the brougham. round with crates and massive boxes. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Here?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which What do you deduce from it?" and all of them with the keenest interest. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found business came to an end." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "A confidential servant?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good from you?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that door?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Clair, of Lee." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." wedding?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The your sleep?' dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Yes, it would be as well." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double disappearance of these gems?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at guilty one." lamp. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Not him." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" leave you to your papers for a little." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my the side-table." and effective." hard-headed British jury." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to once more to my work. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "We have tried and failed." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "This photograph!" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I interest. They are important, you understand, without being moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Precisely so. But how--" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "I cannot think." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will