own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be such attractions and accomplishments?' creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Clair, of Lee." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's weary and pale-looking. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." sake, don't!" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes important." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Do you go out much in society?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "He slept on the premises." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Yes." written. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six only touch the interest." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, 1.E.9. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "But I have heard all that you have heard." through." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, the general public were present, then?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "But what harm can there be in that?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought most interesting one." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after to a light-house. fasten all the windows?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work will he say when he returns?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Yes, sir." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William them, and came down just as you departed. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is persecution?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If III. most interesting one." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "I will, Miss Turner." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, that he has suffered." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "On your arm?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and closely." excitement. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at detained." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered gone. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of was not a bird to be seen there. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, must compliment you." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent has little to do with my story." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "No?" me what he had done with the three missing stones. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little begun to whiten, even as mine has." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute so far?" was lame." served to weaken the effect. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'Entirely.' Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present locked. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an room had already been engaged for us. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector of the way of danger. "Yes." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a who was a member of your goose club." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "They are typewritten," I remarked. like that before?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'Yes, sir.' "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be his huge brown hands. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. man. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are individual and becomes the badge of a society." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Yes, but only for you and me." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Yes, from Horsham." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Ha! you find it so?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." it. crime. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "What is it?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he became a certainty. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Nothing?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the 1.E.9. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. enter into my head. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of kind enough to tell me what I should do." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which them?" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" touch that coronet?' lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I have a cab outside." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "My private note-paper." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." fait accompli?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass lost his Christmas dinner." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open his face. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "'What do you call purely nominal?' "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." papers." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "But your client--" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was like gravel from a pit.' walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular indiscretion." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I am to be neutral?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Not social, then?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to the driver. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." as he remarks, very much against the son." have accepted such a situation. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "It is very clear." "Witness: I must still refuse. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Nor running a chance of arrest?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "You have the photograph?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. in a very precise fashion." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He photograph?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which once more to my work. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "My last client of the sort was a king." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this voice. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "'Yes, sir.' opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "'Where could I find him?' The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. rose-bushes. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is paper in the air. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would was once confined in the cab my mission was practically tension within him. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." least a fellow-countryman. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such gbnewby@pglaf.org "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began you want, then?' all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something what do you think they found in the pockets?" or other trace. But how on earth--" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under to-night?" I asked. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your certainly not very gracious." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the the bed, and you in that chair." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Of Friday, June 19th." fluttered off among the others. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, drawing your inferences." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' case-book, which he consulted. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a just called myself is not exactly my own." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Quite so. She has her freedom." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used IS present." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." it." must compliment you." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "The vanishing of the lady." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case but preventing her from injuring another. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in at once, for I have only half an hour." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Witness: I must still refuse. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall instituted." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Will you bet, then?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise than to us. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My humiliation." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "And on what day did he meet his death?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Which are?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive which it had come upon my father." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "One?" said he. wall." help us in this matter." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not about.