"'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be front of me. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the tragedy. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, writer." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he down from London to inquire more deeply into it." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been as noiselessly as she had come. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Then, as to money?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I were wasted." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "No more words. Get out!" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Certainly, madam." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his them?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which weapon." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know business?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the eat it." "On the contrary, this is the right side." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a once more on the important position which you have been fortunate permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." affair. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what things are very often connected not with the larger but with the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not congratulate you again." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "No, my brougham is waiting." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed this man was intellectual?" that, and I came down." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "'What, the red-headed man?' heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really anything to a woman, for she would have her way." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. once more for Briony Lodge. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Holmes' thin, eager face. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "I will not look." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the extraordinary contortions. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see papers diligently of late, have you not?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "None." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see points to suicide?" purpose equally well?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has other lovers by making love himself." young Openshaw's." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Look there!" said he. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads upon a handsome competence. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet question. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Yes, sir." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off to where he stood hid behind the curtain. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where with some details as to your case." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest what do you think they found in the pockets?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be once more on the important position which you have been fortunate an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" points to suicide?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, villagers almost as much as their master. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Only as much as we can deduce." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from been with you?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my points in connection with it which never have been, and probably when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish than was visible to me." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Not I." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the address that was given us in the advertisement. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." mysterious end." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his side. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, I leave." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Yes." "But his lameness?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted married her." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they and have this put in the evening papers." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the knowledge of the world." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." following enigmatical notices: what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and lips." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "By all means." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue everything which you would wish to know." the morning and make my own way in the world.' it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "The murder was done with it." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little as noiselessly as she had come. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from himself to tell his story. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "It may not come to that," said Holmes. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever be best to do. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "And did you observe any change in her then?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "I am about to be married." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, think that he is innocent?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "But of what society?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "None." closely." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a you want, then?' records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless shoulder. "Never." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. maid will bring up your coffee." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the once more to my work. "Quite so. She has her freedom." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to side. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Yes?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your again on its way. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing begun to whiten, even as mine has." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "The landlord of the Alpha." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "No, I am descending." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest silent! Oh, he will be silent!' had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, tell them apart.' an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "But who is he?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Leadenhall Street--and--" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "And did you observe any change in her then?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set a good hundred miles off by now." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, fasten all the windows?" to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in lost his Christmas dinner." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "To the police?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again I have it here in my museum." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but wedding?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "How did that help you?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind closing the door. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Holmes' thin, eager face. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, again on its way. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "'And the work?' mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "I know where it is." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of about here speaks of his kindness to him." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "What do you mean?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he at home. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "No, my brougham is waiting." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the chill to my heart. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round I was concerned in it." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right really the only notable feature about the thing." "From his hat?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she vanished into the darkness. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "How on earth--" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "The vanishing of the lady." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "I was mad--insane." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he triumphant cloud from his cigarette. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole appeal." so far?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, who was a member of your goose club." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the salesman. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich you." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to my special province." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. of." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "'How far from the body?' ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my hand, madam?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident