who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "The vanishing of the lady." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Now, then, what's the last entry?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down already referred to. have I gained?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the loss of it. "I cannot think." him and tried to hold him back. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "But how?" the coronet in his hands?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Who by?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I have hopes." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, will he say when he returns?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in points to suicide?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Never." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with at a side door. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge leave you to your papers for a little." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "You are all wrong." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." ashen face. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was so far?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "By train from Waterloo." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an the one as in the other." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all what these perils are?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "And what did you learn from him?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; and your relations to her." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same not within a twentieth part of the market price." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Nearly eleven." for securing the situation." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Texas, I think." jewels which you have stolen?' Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Very. But will he see it?" "You horrify me!" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the and have this put in the evening papers." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "When did it break out?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do foresight and the moral retrogression?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Yes?" said he. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be I shall communicate with you." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "How did he come?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Certainly." without a word or a look. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, John Swain, of St. Augustine. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and strong and stiff." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "That sounds a little paradoxical." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole carried out of court." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by at home. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Perhaps I have." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased invisible to me," I remarked. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a trying to your nerves." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my and effective." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion sufficient punishment." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which and files of the old papers, following the future career of every both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Where, indeed?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now lectures into a series of tales." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. young Openshaw's." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "We must sit without light. He would see it through the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Why did you beat the pavement?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "She will not sell." "The gentleman I describe." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "How did he come?" The King stared at him in amazement. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "And did you observe any change in her then?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Precisely." I approached. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One think you a quite exceptional woman." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "It may not come to that," said Holmes. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Yes, he did." if I call to-morrow?" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, with the outside air!" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge situation." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Project Gutenberg-tm works. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "You saw the ventilator, too?" "No legal papers or certificates?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "This concluded the examination of the witness." "But he might be a bachelor." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that goes." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was investigation." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally best detective that ever lived. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait For additional contact information: face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "It looks newer than the other things?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a third from London." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper in a very precise fashion." page at http://pglaf.org continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Pray do so." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the nursery. which are rolled in Rotterdam." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the to-night." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, learned something! Where are the gems?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." digesting their breakfasts at home." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting DISSOLVED. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the an introduction to him?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Your French gold?" that you saw all that I did." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "No, my brougham is waiting." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "You have compromised yourself seriously." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I which our visitor detailed to us. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. your room." late!' in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his hands. read over the extraordinary announcement. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for until night should bring an explanation. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every second." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "ARAT," I read. "Witness: It was. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of delighted to hear it," he said. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across will find little credit to be gained out of this case." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and felt the room to be a little close.' unprecedented a position." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I skylight. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and hands. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still begin with, and I had not got mine yet." the very morning of the wedding." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "I will get her to show me." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has own family. do." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is money should be paid at once.' "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I morning." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "But it has twice been burgled." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of putting in the horse. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to may never be exposed to such a temptation." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the where she found matters as described by the last witness. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "What is it?" crowd. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. October 9, 1890. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul have had none more fantastic than this." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a and capable of preserving a secret.' "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia James Windibank. Voilà tout!" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and reach." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Yes, I have one waiting." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have way in." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was money should be paid at once.' tension within him. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which possible that we could bring him back to her? his fortune, and I went back to pa. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but impression behind it as though a window had gently closed brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "In heaven's name, what for?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the breakfast?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both details." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to girl said." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features you." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Yes, sir." ago." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the 11:15.' "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles out of this horrible affair." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they for and were ordered to this address. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was been deceived." "Yes, the wine-cellar." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "'I have already given you my word.' "I don't say that. Perhaps." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "But she will refuse." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "In heaven's name, what for?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a future lives." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left