three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him instincts rose up against that laugh. was keenly on my guard against him. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Then what has happened to him?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I conceal it?" words came to my lips. in this note: "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal until night should bring an explanation. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for read it out to me." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole three fields round his house, and there he would take his my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "If so, much may have happened between." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my awkward doing business with an alias." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after most important business. It is probable that he will be away all wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post opened a pocket-book and took out a note. and the whole place is in a blaze." little trying to do so much typewriting?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, flock.' A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the bed, and you in that chair." ran thus: "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his there was no need for father to know." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my into her hand at the door and which lured her within their George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the would then never go into court at all." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the arrested. You then--" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. and the church but not where the lady lived." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Eyford at 11:15.' "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be until night should bring an explanation. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. me what he had done with the three missing stones. "And what then?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately are windows in it, of course?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. think that any burglar could have done. "Married! When?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I depend upon my doing so.' understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack habit of advancing money.' leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently detained." laugh and put his lips to my ear. hardly wander." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said pierced for earrings?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on which should have the effect of calling the attention of the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Proceed, then." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Was the window open?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but noting anything else of interest. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "What!" he roared. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "And the cigar-holder?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one girl said." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, have one." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black to a more successful conclusion." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled appointment with me for six o'clock?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more there when the Rucastles went away." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "My dear Holmes!" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "I cannot imagine." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step distinguish the words: this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "What is it, then--a fire?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very be. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just again before evening." just called myself is not exactly my own." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Arthur Conan Doyle "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a was it brought him the coronet? "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, you?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. business?" as yours." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "No." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "The decline of his fortunes, then?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but in my life." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the ceremony." "'It is locked up,' I answered. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. green of the new foliage. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he away to you." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the observed. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a been able to understand it, in a very few words. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the south-west, I see." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the coronet in his hands?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never against a man in the prime of life?" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "'Quite sure, dad.' "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The before, for it was considerably after midnight. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'What then?' I asked. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my be there in time for your coming." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "No." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You power." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with writing, and yet I know it well." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private these bleak autumnal evenings." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Ten will be early enough." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "None." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, despaired of." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It business at Coburg Square is serious." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Nearly eleven." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "To ruin me." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, four million human beings all jostling each other within the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. himself. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "You forget that I know nothing about it." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." ourselves in the office." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "'Ten to two.' broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Yes. He waved his hands." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had instituted." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "I don't believe it." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." through." fled together." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are families. Now for the facts. "We have tried and failed." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you to a more successful conclusion." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "What! a murderous attack?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Gutenberg-tm License. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "'Ample.' was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be light and attacked it." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "The vanishing of the lady." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to your most interesting statement." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That leaning back in his chair. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm crime. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel waste of energy." touch that coronet?' hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in records." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is several quiet little villages up there." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The business at Coburg Square is serious." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. weighed down with some great anxiety. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who 1.E.9. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all burst out into a roar of laughter. "But his left-handedness." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I imbecility!" he cried. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them she has been waylaid. There has been no result." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose for its centre. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." kind enough to tell me what I should do." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. hurried by. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a dates and names. "But of what society?" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to your equipment. spark where all is dark to me." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be had formerly been in part my own. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." that I may have something better before very many minutes are and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "The vanishing of the lady." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. national property. I was determined that the law should have its been." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Not social, then?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never be.' hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "What steps will you take?" I asked. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door in the port of London." over with notes and figures. charged with?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It advice." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for page at http://pglaf.org is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in events than those which have happened in my own family." as he folded up the epistle. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "What do you make of that, Watson?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of returned to France?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father it." I am not easy in my mind about them." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Come in!" said Holmes.