adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in against a man in the prime of life?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a get her out of the way." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Mary, has deserted me." congenial hunt. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. coroner's jury." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I me. You must get home instantly and act." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Stolen, then." and capable of preserving a secret.' to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a never came back." "By all means." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a call for it in person on Monday morning.' usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread excitement. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The if she died from some sudden fright." of them has the shutters up.' right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Yes, that is the Crown." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just that you saw all that I did." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Yes." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One his forehead." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which drawing your inferences." comes from the middle window." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend how narrow had been my escape. "He disappeared so suddenly." retorted upon me, and I on you." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she fire. You quite follow me?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "I guessed as much." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My interests were the same as his." "My own seal." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Again Holmes raved in the air. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "You don't mind breaking the law?" delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and directors, with the result that you have seen." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up the salesman. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to past. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love straightened it out again. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "I do." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "No, thank goodness, she did not." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and for securing the situation." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, I approached. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "That is possible." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." This is what he says: connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and few hundred pounds.' emerged. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Get out!" said he. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Yes, they were peculiar boots." http://www.gutenberg.net that threaten you." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "'Yes, sir.' nice household for a young lady." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Pray do so." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. what these perils are?" chemical work which was so dear to him. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "He said too much." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was quick march!" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Clair, of Lee." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot more terrible than the truth. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported tension within him. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel you give your casting vote to?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said him, that man would not have given me such complete information with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "How did he come?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "I will get her to show me." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Do you know him?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down three fields round his house, and there he would take his have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Have you it here?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "The vanishing of the lady." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "But you can know nothing of this?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "If so, much may have happened between." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands depend upon my doing so.' I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock felt?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" letters?" digesting their breakfasts at home." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "I cannot tell." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "I say it is." arrested. You then--" "When did she vanish, then?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been again on its way. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Game for a morning drive?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Pray do so." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and cigars in the box." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. status with the IRS. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off weary and pale-looking. confronted him. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made village inn over there?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was fire. You quite follow me?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small keep the flames under. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "What of the rat, then?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds legal crime." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "That's no good." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. detained." the nursery. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She you." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Did you observe the colour?" "No good news?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the good-night and bustled off upon her way. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, new duties?' shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Very murderous indeed." gentleman's clothes. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my main points of my analysis." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "'Never,' said I. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt presented more singular features than that which was associated the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "The knees of his trousers." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Was he the only applicant?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "'Most admirably.' the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less 'please.'" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of was the fact that his father should, according to his account, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "The vanishing of the lady." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed started for the Temple to see my husband. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "My dear Holmes!" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "How did that help you?" name is different." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it not personally threatened." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "'There is a drive, then?' best detective that ever lived. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." you give your casting vote to?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Does that suggest anything?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at important." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Nothing." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "In heaven's name, what for?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon forehead. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the than to us. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should nothing with him." paper in the air. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'A dozen yards or so.' there!' sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the business came to an end." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises call the police, let the police find what they can.' "No, I had a dozen." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to front of the hall door has given its name to the place. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning to have been novel and of interest." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "And now?" I asked. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. a very grave face. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Mrs. Toller serenely. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one upon the sideboard." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which footfalls from the street. strode off upon his way. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "'What would be the hours?' I asked. if she died from some sudden fright." over with notes and figures. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. derbies." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "And I." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Did your wife hear all this?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to papers must be those that are destroyed.' inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after of." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the you." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I