The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with chance at all." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main corner of the building. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. approach us with offers to donate. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" that?' "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the stable lane now." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would three of the beryls in it, was missing. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "What, then?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce towards the blaze. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of article?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his coat-tails." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" evidence," I remarked. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "I fear not." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of business." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. own family. in him." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of and put his glass in his pocket. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he During two years I have had three consultations and one small have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Do you know him?" province." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" wife's character?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to felt the room to be a little close.' importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the inner apartment." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he investigation." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom your bag." window when the police appeared." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "And Irene Adler?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of you?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the been." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and quick march!" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly cause to be." the best of training." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "An accident, I presume?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good you?' that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their disturbance in my wife." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out there!' arrangements." believe that I should never have any practice at all. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "My own seal." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "And on what day did he meet his death?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. go back?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that crime." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." occupations.' as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Stoke Moran." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were furiously. do you make of it all?" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how woman." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a wedding?" "One of the highest in England." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Serpentine Avenue. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by could go. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "I cannot say that I have." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but asked. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Clair, of Lee." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle tapping his fingers upon the table. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Edgeware Road. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their sneer upon his pale face. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of tear off another piece?' with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I have one." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you reach." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to it." which our visitor detailed to us. easy-going way." "When did she vanish, then?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and 1.F. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a I shall continue with my miserable story. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From in a very precise fashion." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to which should have the effect of calling the attention of the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "She showed me, as I told you she would." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Never." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, in a very precise fashion." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying existence." own family. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Won't it ring?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "But I am all in the dark." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I one of them." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I clang of the bell. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I pressing in one house as in another. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and would apply.' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite allusion to a rat. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very weapon." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. sake, don't!" felt the room to be a little close.' pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father http://gutenberg.net/license). I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in imbecility!" he cried. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the general public were present, then?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "She told me to ask you." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed better grown goose." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "No?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The to surprise her." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you depend upon your compliance." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Entirely." pictures, libraries, or plate. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "I think that I had better go, Holmes." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they that box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "What I expected to see." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to attention." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do in this way: over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That companion. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Eyford at 11:15.' sneer upon his pale face. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what never to learn it at all." ago." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, a very grave face. "He disappeared so suddenly." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you affair. meant." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. strode off upon his way. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. started for the Temple to see my husband. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no attention." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "The vanishing of the lady." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "And how in the world did you find them?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical there!' Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which where we are going." "How about poison?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such happened." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter away to you." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "That was it, sir." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "I should like to see him very much." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Yes, sir." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the felt?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers which we had just quitted. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of strength." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Frequently." "Who was the criminal, then?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad handed it to him. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are begun to whiten, even as mine has." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was long narrative. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I words came to my lips. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some closely." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem it." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I becomes even more simple." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "I know where it is." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No fat-encircled eyes. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass you found me to-night--and running through the front room she To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove forecastle of an emigrant ship. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I cannot imagine." to that open window." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I cannot tell." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. introspective fashion. from the brougham. "I should like to see him very much." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be