as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the gentleman's clothes. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "But who is he?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "The vanishing of the lady." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project bell. Holmes whistled. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the particular state visit http://pglaf.org would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Bought." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "It is half-past ten now." with her." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Murdered?" "Well, but China?" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a woman who has had her own way to make in the world. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He my friend's incisive reasoning. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "And how have you succeeded?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good clang of the bell. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, sneer upon his pale face. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "My dear Holmes!" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then fact, we may call it conclusive." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Mrs. Toller serenely. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course License. You must require such a user to return or "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. crime." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' weighed down with some great anxiety. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Then, how do you know?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black business came to an end." "No, I think that I'll take it." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "What will you say?" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that forebodings. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce thin legs towards the fire. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call nights." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. appeared upon the scene." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with that I am arrested." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself out of this horrible affair." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "I would pay ten." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Not in the least." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very retorted upon me, and I on you." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able point in the dark hollow of his hand. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "No. What a strange idea!" discontent upon his features. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'And what are they worth?' I asked. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I one of them." of them has the shutters up.' "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a or other trace. But how on earth--" could gather together that I was able to avert another public landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Yes. He waved his hands." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded of fine shops and stately business premises that they really will not take me long to tell. time." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not will not take me long to tell. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was is now desirous of getting those letters back." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet corner of the building. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my nothing with him." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so interest. They are important, you understand, without being The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Yes." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very tied." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "'Certainly not. But why?' then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the III. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Oh, yes, easily." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand the coroner come to?" "How are you getting on?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has I shall continue with my miserable story. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "I should like to see him very much." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that dead, shall be safe with us." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Did your wife hear all this?" "'Certainly not. But why?' the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional gives a meaning to it." know what is wrong with it.' and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included fuss that is made over them." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in him to be an active member of the medical profession." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" instituted." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem everything which you would wish to know." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Was she in good spirits?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or behind me. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could forehead. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Game for a morning drive?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search did not hear it also.' which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when imbecility!" he cried. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this to you." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have other lovers by making love himself." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "It is very kind of you." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "I was afraid that you were engaged." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do child?' sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. acquaintance?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as at my own good fortune. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we could go. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'Yes, sir.' "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "'Why that?' I asks. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Never." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of II. "I am sure." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of than to us. know what is wrong with it.' we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. chill to my heart. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a instincts rose up against that laugh. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "But we can't all be." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at young Openshaw's." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that floor. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "I am following you closely," I answered. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. said I. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some to affect your life." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "So I am. Very much so." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the upon the sideboard." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Why serious?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was without success. At last the little money which I had saved began note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a records." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study pictures, libraries, or plate. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." made his money." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." seven miles from Eyford Station.' explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the served to weaken the effect. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Never." has little to do with my story." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. your equipment. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, what these perils are?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a of this gang." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a him. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside to-night?' Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." are, and they are waiting for us." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "No. What a strange idea!" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "It was a confession," I ejaculated. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my this as likely?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "And your father? Did you tell him?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises most interesting one." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "When did it break out?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Was she in good spirits?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden of campaign. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "By no means." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest brought there to personate someone, and the real person is a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my perplexity from it to my illustrious client. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the you in yours." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Absolutely?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal few hundred pounds.' bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "To ruin me." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an remarked. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "The decline of his fortunes, then?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just and put his glass in his pocket. "Yes, but only for you and me."