this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have is acting for the best. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of hands. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt relief. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle true." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her not within a twentieth part of the market price." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to locked." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "So I have heard." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, he died? still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with his face. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in man. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the little opening for the ventilator is." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if conversation I have gathered that they have been married about which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "At half-wages, in fact." you for a few hours?" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without during the last few years, and there are many noble families to stalked out of the room. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question delighted to hear it," he said. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here beyond words. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I without success. At last the little money which I had saved began affection." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of was lame." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want go from here to the Strand." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for country, and eventually married, without anyone having a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to the coroner come to?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too at once, for I have only half an hour." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Well, it is a possible supposition." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," in darkness. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you enter Dr. Roylott's room." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "And now?" He raised his hand. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' hair?' cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I whatever might befall. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Well, some hundreds of times." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return death." side. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than of." one which it was hard to resist. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My points in connection with it which never have been, and probably to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "And why?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Do you know him?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden really the only notable feature about the thing." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Certainly." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was them?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "How about poison?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty said he. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put other means.' One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of out of this horrible affair." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his clanging. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his compunction about shooting them down." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "I will try. What is it?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is hour." his knees, staring into the fire. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and into her hand at the door and which lured her within their congenial hunt. dates and names. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "No, I think that I'll take it." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of digesting their breakfasts at home." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." you understand?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to leave you to your papers for a little." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously http://www.gutenberg.net his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the it were putty." papers diligently of late, have you not?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and was the fact that his father should, according to his account, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are late." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in asked. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth to where he stood hid behind the curtain. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "That you are never beaten." keep the flames under. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed this poor creature." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "I say it is." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "And you thought he was pulled back?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure outside." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "I see many objections to any such theory." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Of what day?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Why did you beat the pavement?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Not social, then?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the think that he is innocent?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced emerged. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so which was all perfectly true. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set did not hear it also.' It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the one else, I think." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "By train from Waterloo." "Did your wife hear all this?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "'Is purely nominal.' mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "How about poison?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small and shall probably return to London by the evening train." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "The vanishing of the lady." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at to-night's adventure." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the child." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of been." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" arrangements." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled room had already been engaged for us. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was new duties?' "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Holmes' room. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance visitors." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few that before taking the final step I should like to submit the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. detained." think that any burglar could have done. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Upon what point?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the My friend smiled. highly," said Holmes. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "'You cannot say what it was?' "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for behind me. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the running down." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the coroner come to?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for girl said." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the King without delay." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "When did she vanish, then?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "This concluded the examination of the witness." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a burst out into a roar of laughter. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his