dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before companion. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so father's young wife. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "And when will you call?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's companion. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased in a very precise fashion." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The shall not find me ungrateful." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as where she found matters as described by the last witness. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had at my own good fortune. "His face fell immediately. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "And how did you verify them?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong than to us. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Not social, then?" roused himself from his reverie. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout unprofitable." Holmes' thin, eager face. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "My opinion is in no way altered." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "And Miss Sutherland?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang we went to search for him, face downward in a little iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment maid will bring up your coffee." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his particular state visit http://pglaf.org about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "But how?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon important." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "This concluded the examination of the witness." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect you." keep the flames under. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the would then never go into court at all." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." trifles." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the coronet in his hands?" spark where all is dark to me." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us spark where all is dark to me." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." charged with?" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so placed his cuttings. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Did you become engaged then?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "No good news?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in that threaten you." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I results." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though anything to do with the matter?" less than 26s. 4d. the roots. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." The events in question occurred in the early days of my done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. deduce something from that?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "I am in hopes that she does." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." people in all walks of life. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a said I. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "You were travelling in the States?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "10th. John Swain cleared. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained go--none." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just you." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Yes, certainly." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "I was sure that I might rely on you." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such problems help me to do so." "Entirely." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. happened." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "And it is--" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now at a side door. him nearly every evening." said he. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Did he not advertise?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled very old mansion. his face which made him a very different person to the round, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "You have but to name it." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, instituted." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or as this. Pray let me have the details." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had room. "'Never.' will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Holmes. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." formed some opinion?" "Look there!" said he. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to away to you." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the sparkled upon his finger. noble correspondent could be. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "No." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Absolutely?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a this remarkable episode. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, than to us. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad door?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "'Ten to two.' "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always is a common subject for conversation. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "What, then, did Peterson do?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little to affect your life." "No." nothing of it?" "But I have heard all that you have heard." Holmes' thin, eager face. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Oh, fresh and glossy." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. ran thus: is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Quite so." straightened it out again. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "He said that you could solve anything." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Yes." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." once more. that threaten you." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and examination of the premises, but without finding anything which yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is may never be exposed to such a temptation." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly made him keep the appointment." Clair, of Lee." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "But not more so than I to find you." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the bottom.' black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had asked with his eyes open. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened you give your casting vote to?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I in. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Holmes' thin, eager face. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I second." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "What steps will you take?" I asked. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to closing the door. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Nothing." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Did you observe the colour?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the him to go away.' unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but straightened it out again. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the carpenter." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Could he throw no light?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and that before taking the final step I should like to submit the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "ARAT," I read. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little it." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence on re-entering her father's house?" will he say when he returns?" to arrive at through this?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, heavy and sharp instrument." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could disturbance in my wife." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I been shamefully used." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "I cannot tell." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "'Then let me do so?' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which thought that she would have been so carried away." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. with frightened eyes at his accuser. "She told me to ask you." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your vanished into the darkness. "I am following you closely," I answered. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge to-night?' "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Pool. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Did you observe the colour?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "It was." directors, with the result that you have seen." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up colour had been driven from his face. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "In heaven's name, what for?" "You know me, then?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "No more words. Get out!" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest address. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "The vanishing of the lady." figure." pierced for earrings?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person noting anything else of interest. following enigmatical notices: swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the constraint." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her own family. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." leave you to your papers for a little." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it hour." "Who by?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her