abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "You are hungry," I remarked. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "You don't mind breaking the law?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. to surprise her." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in joking. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, orange pips. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if arrested. You then--" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "No, distinctly professional." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "You were travelling in the States?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Was he the only applicant?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. feature." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "What can it mean?" I gasped. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "No. What a strange idea!" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain hopeless attempt at recovering them." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we and the colonel ushered me in. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Certainly." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it were wasted." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat of the vacancies.' be best to do. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "'A dozen yards or so.' who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed have got?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the important." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was a suggestive one." "Yes." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "The murder was done with it." entirely devoid of interest." interests were the same as his." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Gutenberg-tm License. window when the police appeared." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "He said too much." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I or in danger--" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "This concluded the examination of the witness." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? in my life." "I should like to see him very much." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we woman who has had her own way to make in the world. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Yes, it was twisted." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own arrangements." sound at heart." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us again, where I was soon asleep. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him sentimental considerations in the background which would induce with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "And that is--" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's you in yours." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." fluttered off among the others. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Was your sister dressed?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "It missed him, then?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "And why?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The digesting their breakfasts at home." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "And the murderer?" bachelor.' afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. fear." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "But what harm can there be in that?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. and that he would see to anything that turned up. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. What do you deduce from it?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" shaken than I had ever seen him. "'Why that?' I asks. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed than was visible to me." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Bought." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last shaken than I had ever seen him. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "And you don't know his address?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler it." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and what these perils are?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has over here." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "'Is purely nominal.' conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. keep the flames under. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the door?" look upon these things in a different way." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, again, where I was soon asleep. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew foresight and the moral retrogression?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "That sounds a little paradoxical." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "But what harm can there be in that?" "But who is he?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and until night should bring an explanation. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for invisible to me," I remarked. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, to-night's adventure." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little stammered. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than appointment with me for six o'clock?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Nothing." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly call the police, let the police find what they can.' moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. to a more successful conclusion." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "'Is purely nominal.' which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" of Mr. Rucastle's." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm prove to be little relation between the different incidents of as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee served to weaken the effect. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I cannot tell." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true strong and stiff." Henry Baker is a member." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you showing my impatience. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided developed." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "My dear Holmes!" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "But to whom?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple three fields round his house, and there he would take his hopeless attempt at recovering them." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Sutherland?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to to arrive at through this?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "That is it on the dressing-table." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. that you saw all that I did." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all definite end. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "'Yes.' room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. that you wished to speak to me?' It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Holmes' thin, eager face. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel intimate personal affairs in this public manner." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "It certainly sounds feasible." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel girl said." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a young Openshaw's." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "The vanishing of the lady." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Seven!" I answered. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for considering the formidable letters which were received by himself You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "I was certainly surprised to find you there." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." had picked up in the wood. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working key of the affair now." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "'Is purely nominal.' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the question," said Holmes, smiling. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of for securing the situation." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, than was visible to me." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the bottom.' She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "No, distinctly professional." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "My private note-paper." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Why, it's a dummy," said he. laugh and put his lips to my ear. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "You are all wrong." unkempt, staring out at me. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I will try. What is it?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of coat-tails." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking empty. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Never." "Where, indeed?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Ah!" sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin not as remarkable as your advertisement." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "I am to be neutral?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be manager. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" me where it went to?" light and attacked it." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of plantation.' "You have compromised yourself seriously." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was bears upon the case?" showing my impatience. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, this as likely?" coat-tails." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the