story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was becomes even more simple." "'What, the red-headed man?' again before evening." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Then the page we have seen--" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. chambers. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Then, how do you know?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "'Where could I find him?' 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the the south-west, I see." that you wished to speak to me?' instituted." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Nothing?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the in the port of London." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Eyford at 11:15.' dear old homesteads?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, key of the affair now." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled The events in question occurred in the early days of my maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his chemical work which was so dear to him. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "In heaven's name, what for?" meant it for the best. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his him." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "'Certainly,' I answered. "The rest you will leave in our hands." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for later, upon the night of May 2nd." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "I fear not." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "None." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "And Irene Adler?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For in his power. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "'What, the red-headed man?' "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "And help." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and have had none more fantastic than this." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful would apply.' Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these which it had come upon my father." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in means taking possession of that which another person has a prior prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "To the police?" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, discontent upon his features. retorted upon me, and I on you." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Then you may entirely rely on me." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "It was." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to becomes even more simple." "They are typewritten," I remarked. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my companion. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. evidence," I remarked. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when You can understand that this register and diary may implicate we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I father's young wife. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Pray do so." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. bird of prey. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Entirely." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The I have it here in my museum." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from back to my heart. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "If so, much may have happened between." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "'How far from the body?' would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. me where it went to?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I considering the formidable letters which were received by himself expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to have had none more fantastic than this." formed some opinion?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Witness: I must still refuse. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the with you?" "That's no good." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands that I am arrested." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab your sleep?' point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "But it has twice been burgled." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "I will get her to show me." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Won't it ring?" young Openshaw's." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "It surprised me." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Was he the only applicant?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow young Openshaw's." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "The Coroner: What do you mean? the coronet in his hand?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being legal crime." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Very murderous indeed." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is with you alone." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "She showed me, as I told you she would." asked. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and some water from a caraffe. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "What do you make of that, Watson?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just laugh and put his lips to my ear. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" bearing upon the case." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The more terrible than the truth. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "What! Had he lost his wife?" should be so warm over such a trifle." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the detained." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "But how did you gain them?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my horse could go." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in matter." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." article?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Whose house is it?" "And I to find an enemy." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, companion. presume?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and man. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Frequently." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm charge against him will break down." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared him." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." that morning." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I see many objections to any such theory." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled future lives." at my remark. outsides of the windows. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that not fit the lock." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "But of what society?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were was a perfect sample of the class. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, as the one I chose?' have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just threw himself down with his face to the pillow. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened and I shall be with you presently." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, matter." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "In the cells." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "And your mother is alive?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' open." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "The vanishing of the lady." happened." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no not use it unless it is absolutely needed." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of seven miles from Eyford Station.' "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. my former friend and companion. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "A thing like a cleaver," said he. himself to hunt down. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Serpentine Avenue. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my knowledge of the world." answered with a sidelong glance. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge stalked out of the room. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'There is a drive, then?' this as likely?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Who was the criminal, then?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Yes, certainly." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we true." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "The rest you will leave in our hands." read it out to me." rooms." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Witness: It was. "I should like to see him very much." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle be there in time for your coming." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and records." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "No, finished." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad death." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the companion. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could this man was intellectual?" face and glided from the room.