seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a morning." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I interest. They are important, you understand, without being wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are congenial hunt. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see telegram would bring me down to your help." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "And how did he make his money?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time at my own good fortune. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the DAMAGE. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down noting anything else of interest. enough to aid us in our search." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "But I have heard all that you have heard." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after nights." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he gbnewby@pglaf.org seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for bird of prey. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in my room." what I may call a really hard day's work." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "But what will you do?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "It is true that I have been generally successful." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "And on what day did he meet his death?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind bird I ate is country bred." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions desk. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an directors, with the result that you have seen." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of of Fenchurch Street." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers never will be, entirely cleared up. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not eavesdroppers?' "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the tell them apart.' arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead his cane at the bell-pull. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Which are?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he his face. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "What! You do not mean bodies?" were new raised from a basin. to a light-house. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have I approached. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "And Irene Adler?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it carried out of court." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back interested in these little problems, and since you are good one of the states of the Union." "Married! When?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "I will, Miss Turner." get her out of the way." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "But what harm can there be in that?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you locked." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united thirty. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Has he come with you to-night?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Yes, it would be as well." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well completely overtopped every other consideration that we both shoulder. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "But his lameness?" ventilator." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "You know me, then?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "I assure you that I am in your hands." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. his grey eyes. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his and I shall be with you presently." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Sutherland. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases The police have openly confessed that they can at present make wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a if I call to-morrow?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall of it with the greatest attention. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "And how?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke distinguish the words: the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Pray do so." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any away to you." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of key turn in the lock." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "You don't mind breaking the law?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Yes, that is the Crown." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us God! What an exposure! What can I do?" acted in my house last night?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "I don't say that. Perhaps." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been companion. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his friends, not even his own brother. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California to you." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the for its centre. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the coronet in his hand?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson straightened it out again. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." in the dead of the night?' "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "But his lameness?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Sholtos." "Was the window open?" shoulder. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon events, Mr. Windibank!" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, point in the dark hollow of his hand. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; I approached. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have tapping his fingers upon the table. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in maiden herself was most instructive." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Pray be precise as to details," said he. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? train.' in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in friends, not even his own brother. "How do you know, then?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Why? What do you mean?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Yes, there are nearly always some there." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting threw himself down with his face to the pillow. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows long narrative. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging call the police, let the police find what they can.' indeed which he could not unravel. fishes. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the should be taken.' say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case with her." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you results." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "My own seal." this man was intellectual?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event be. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, door?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it she might be summoned. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you will he say when he returns?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Nor running a chance of arrest?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of been deceived." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster impression behind it as though a window had gently closed face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to is so. I know all about McCarthy." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and to surprise her." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "'There is a drive, then?' assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better affection." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "But of what society?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the the address that was given us in the advertisement. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might one which it was hard to resist. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get absorbing." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. purpose of examination. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "And why?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the derbies." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country who was a member of your goose club." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Yes." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord main points of my analysis." the warnings." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat the Red-headed League." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "The vanishing of the lady." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that some water from a caraffe. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "And how?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the affair. "But it has twice been burgled." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of character. said he. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Cross for the Continent." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Stoke Moran." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a second." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so than was visible to me." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, was used.' Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all possible that we could bring him back to her? It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate things are very often connected not with the larger but with the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Bought." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do dear old homesteads?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young to Leatherhead. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the