Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "The vanishing of the lady." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been carried out of court." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "And that is--" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were shoulder; "he's all right." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Yes." cost them two and thirty pounds." "That is unusual in a young girl." to-night?' "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was derbies." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This tail." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, chance at all." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry have an American origin." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Indeed! Whose, then?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. to a more successful conclusion." "My photograph." enough to aid us in our search." "I have seen the police." "BALLARAT." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "How about poison?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter me, and I could not think that his explanation of the conclusions. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "You horrify me!" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Arthur Conan Doyle deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one question. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no during which he might have communicated with his friend the "You have carte blanche." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." weapon." lost his Christmas dinner." business in the City. She little knew what. respectable self." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Bought." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the me where it went to?" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. held up the lantern and gazed about him. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, weapon." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and correct than the official force." "Where, then?" narrative." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to enough to aid us in our search." answered with a sidelong glance. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Pool. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "And why in hopes?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as and laid it on the table. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you and no precautions can guard against." existence." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and papers diligently of late, have you not?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "At half-wages, in fact." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to out of this horrible affair." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Yes." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "I don't say that. Perhaps." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the voice. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of of it with the greatest attention. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of present." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the you, my dear young lady?' "That sounds a little paradoxical." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the best of training." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "The knees of his trousers." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. in him." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Have you good authority for what you say?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, remarked. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. words came to my lips. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while manager. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Well, some hundreds of times." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been bell. Holmes whistled. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP these bleak autumnal evenings." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the little opening for the ventilator is." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three do.' think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Where is it, then?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "A client, then?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than system of imprisonment?" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "You did not overhear what they said?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the sneer upon his pale face. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "But she will refuse." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his up this clue while it is still hot." "Dark enough and sinister enough." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is geese which you supplied to the Alpha." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "You think so, too?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "So I heard. You have him here?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, to some other building. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "An enemy?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "9th. McCauley cleared. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "I am all attention, madam." "Then I am your man." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his the date of his supposed suicide." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Eh? What was that?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Will you go?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. desk. client, rising. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you events than those which have happened in my own family." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in one which it was hard to resist. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite that I am arrested." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden were new raised from a basin. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. events, Mr. Windibank!" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting key turn in the lock." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "You did not overhear what they said?" "I have hopes." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, mysterious business." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in address. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been http://www.gutenberg.net Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. served to weaken the effect. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, bare slabs of marble. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. upon an income of about 60 pounds." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." me where it went to?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and was a lad." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am anything to do with the matter?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, charge against him will break down." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to place of silver." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a and put his glass in his pocket. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt secret." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." breakfast?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "No, I am descending." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of bled considerably." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "'Quite sure, dad.' skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on place of silver." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning that he has suffered." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held she used." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without distance from the station, and there we found the young lady convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Then I am your man." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Eh? What was that?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "One of his hands." friends, not even his own brother. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Imitated." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I along the entire front of the house, with three long windows possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, as yours." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from You want to know what became of those geese?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Perfectly so." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power approach us with offers to donate. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Never." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain light and attacked it." the coroner come to?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had derbies." himself in a perplexing position. "I will, Miss Turner." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet in a very precise fashion." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from just called myself is not exactly my own." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon some city in a dream. "In the cells." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of been lifted and conveyed somewhere." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. me where it went to?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first that he has suffered." investigation." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the redistribution. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "My last client of the sort was a king." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more be best to do. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in against a man in the prime of life?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, client, rising. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so of his shoulders. "What are they?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel