"But he might be a bachelor." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most page at http://pglaf.org together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening ordinary clothes on?" best detective that ever lived. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King row." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "On the contrary, this is the right side." believe that I should never have any practice at all. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Seven!" I answered. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his But Holmes shook his head gravely. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out and I shall be with you presently." speckled band?" interests were the same as his." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. death." business?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the good for you to do.' wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "I know where it is." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a the night.' 11:15.' "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. union?" an introduction to him?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and was a lad." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands photograph?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon not as remarkable as your advertisement." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit highly," said Holmes. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "What will you say?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Yes, only one." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign burst out into a roar of laughter. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Ample." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A was a lad." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Clair, of Lee." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. goes." III. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "You horrify me." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story to his chemical studies. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "What! Had he lost his wife?" "That was it, sir." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was some terrible trap for her." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. London for the present?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and there is a decided draught." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon You want to know what became of those geese?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a way in everything. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "The vanishing of the lady." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing was a perfect sample of the class. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior everything which you would wish to know." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "My private note-paper." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible pound a week." "He might." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "On the contrary, this is the right side." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "To ruin me." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly even of instruction." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and young Openshaw's." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "About a month then." you came in." away into the river." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. awaited us upon the table. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be attention." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is miles off. "Where to?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a pierced for earrings?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking matter." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and in a friendly supper." clang of the bell. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or had died away into the silence from which it rose. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him to tackle the facts." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." cost them two and thirty pounds." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "I have come for advice." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification bare slabs of marble. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had was once confined in the cab my mission was practically to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of said I. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he works. See paragraph 1.E below. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to was feeling which was the fattest.' Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes could not have written that. It is the German who is so to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Was he the only applicant?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was distinguish the words: when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "'And what are they worth?' I asked. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that comes from the middle window." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Whose house is it?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of cause to be." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to breakfast?" suspect him." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "None." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the driver. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil been lifted and conveyed somewhere." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Not in a good cause." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your shoulder. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be chambers. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." said I. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my my special province." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." papers." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have carried out of court." should be taken.' little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "I have come for advice." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun humiliation." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the that to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Yes, at the mines." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Will you go?" him nearly every evening." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend whether it answered to the description of any of their posted to-day." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. hardly wander." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "'And what salary do you ask?' very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a waste of energy." "Where, then?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It this Miss Turner." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in your Highness to the police-station?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "That is also quite modern," said the lady. just called myself is not exactly my own." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "It is very kind of you." intrusion of other matters." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon it." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked that I may have something better before very many minutes are ago." himself to tell his story. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, His smile broadened. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and there in twenty minutes." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." all that?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to the roots. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the instincts rose up against that laugh. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "At what time?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Yes, but only for you and me." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little gives a meaning to it." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we to surprise her." hurried by. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "It must be recovered." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Sutherland. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the posted to-day." father's place of business?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler McCarthy." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "And how in the world did you find them?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Count Von Kramm." "'Very good.' front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Could he throw no light?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what go back?" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" whatever might befall. my little problems." disappearance of the bride.'" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my forbidden door. tear off another piece?' material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, eat it." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the is now desirous of getting those letters back." occupations.' "I will not look." best detective that ever lived. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against