Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself started for the Temple to see my husband. the coroner come to?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Yes." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that way in." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "It was an hour's good drive." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "It is solved." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a three fields round his house, and there he would take his the Assizes." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to of the way of danger. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the inquest, and which are worth considering." formed some opinion?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the over here." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, grasp, he hurried from the room. some city in a dream. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "It was an hour's good drive." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "No, I had a dozen." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "'As governess?' at my remark. enough to aid us in our search." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet considering the formidable letters which were received by himself TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "It is half-past ten now." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some which our visitor detailed to us. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who spare." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Nothing." beyond words. "It is half-past ten now." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "I say that I have solved it." the station." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face disturbance in my wife." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Yes?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "And your mother is alive?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Ample." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had fuss that is made over them." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent the loss of it. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the details." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray upon the white wrist. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his back alive. matters immensely." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Ample." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches train.' hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "You think so, too?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home questioning and rather startled gaze. "Did you observe the colour?" was lame." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we fatally injured? there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "But your client--" guilty one." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "In San Francisco, a year ago." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: directors, with the result that you have seen." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "I promise," said Holmes. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who respectable self." crime. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "How long did she speak to this Alice?" train.' which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any would then never go into court at all." "She will not sell." gigantic client. "I don't say that. Perhaps." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from the best of training." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Murdered?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left roused himself from his reverie. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and which are rolled in Rotterdam." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "'You cannot say what it was?' I was concerned in it." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "You will not go there first?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the my room." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated I nodded to show that I had heard. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "We must have a cab." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, and it need not interfere very much with one's other with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an where we are going." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the redistribution. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Thank you. And your address?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "And who is her maid?" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "That was it, sir." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she flock.' cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another system of imprisonment?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "It is possible." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes be best to do. sneer upon his pale face. such person." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain congenial hunt. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but be there in time for your coming." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Gutenberg-tm License. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked been able to understand it, in a very few words. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father foot. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Never to return." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached distance from the station, and there we found the young lady I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were may never be exposed to such a temptation." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out mystery may be cleared along those lines." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless washing it down with a long draught of water. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he within hail.' few hundred pounds.' is now desirous of getting those letters back." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "What do you mean?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "By no means." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found floor. companion. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "The vanishing of the lady." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "The murder was done with it." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch indeed happy." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his it right.' and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it and the church but not where the lady lived." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had to-night's adventure." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into I leave." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and never to learn it at all." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled money should be paid at once.' "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet his knees, staring into the fire. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Yes." strong and stiff." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Whose house is it?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that shaken than I had ever seen him. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I said he at last. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious allusion to a rat. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement him nearly every evening." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are instituted." and your relations to her." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "In what way?" asked Holmes. criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming married her." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite lost his Christmas dinner." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "And how have you succeeded?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "His face fell immediately. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which seem to you to be relevant or not." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second mystery." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Foundation "'I shall certainly be there.' be there in time for your coming." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very the dangers which encompass me." the house with me." "Pray continue your narrative." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Then the page we have seen--" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Then he might have called to you?" "'There is a drive, then?' investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "How long did she speak to this Alice?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "I guessed as much." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and clanging. II. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to populous neighbourhood." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three fatally injured? Mrs. Toller serenely. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Where to?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is mysterious end." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. who was a member of your goose club." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "And from a noble client?" true." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off I nodded again. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had