the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank your room." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." such person." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "The vanishing of the lady." Does that suggest anything?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture you?' cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, and laid it on the table. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do closely." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the newspaper selections." prepare for the new role I have to play." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Can I be of assistance?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very writing, and yet I know it well." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." nonsense.' customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, emerged. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley ourselves in the office." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from recall any case within my experience which looked at the first with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant depend upon your compliance." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Nothing." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business notes," he said. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are must compliment you." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross a room. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or to miss it." not as remarkable as your advertisement." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, conduct the inquiry." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Then I shall certainly come." think you a quite exceptional woman." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "'What then?' I asked. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and unclasping of his long thin hands. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "That is unusual in a young girl." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. are windows in it, of course?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "I think that I had better go, Holmes." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Entirely." tell them apart.' eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to note?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he several quiet little villages up there." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. ashen face. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'Ample.' chambers. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the upon the white wrist. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for weighed down with some great anxiety. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to could not have written that. It is the German who is so firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he his eyes and forehead. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "I cannot imagine." him to go away.' things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as morning." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "In which, sir?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the way in." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which know what is wrong with it.' "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we my secret was safe in his possession. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "But your client--" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, row." "No, finished." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, horse could go." "It must be recovered." nothing with him." "I am all attention, madam." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" cigars in their mouths. colour had been driven from his face. you, my dear young lady?' jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "You horrify me." furiously. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon soul! here is her carriage at the door." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "I am following you closely," I answered. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "One of his hands." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'Yes, sir.' "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Proceed, then." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was security.' years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was joking. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If whereabouts. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Then, as to money?" man. I know him from the photograph." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the that you wished to speak to me?' Pope's Court. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "'Why that?' I asks. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "But how?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to carpenter." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single cheerful." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was young Openshaw's." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest be. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who next day. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Get out!" said he. Sutherland. in his hands." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable weapon." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my out." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the writing, and yet I know it well." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled villagers almost as much as their master. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, once more to my work. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "You are hungry," I remarked. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "And from a noble client?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can villagers almost as much as their master. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said whatever might befall. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "And the cigar-holder?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, if I call to-morrow?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. third from London." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "But how will you look?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and face and glided from the room. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: locked. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was chemical work which was so dear to him. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Yes, only one." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "How did he come?" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, these bleak autumnal evenings." "Yes, at the mines." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his disappearance of the bride.'" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular hopeless attempt at recovering them." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Pray continue your narrative." would apply.' words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in was shining brightly. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "And you can do nothing until then?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "The gentleman I describe." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, trifles." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his before, for it was considerably after midnight. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your been anything against him. He had for years been known as a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is noting anything else of interest. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "He might." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "One of the highest in England." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with experiences." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Breckinridge is his name." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and way in." written. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by you." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "So I heard. You have him here?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the character. "Certainly." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "I am sure." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently http://gutenberg.net/license). "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in me. You must get home instantly and act." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may prepare for the new role I have to play." "Did you become engaged then?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "He slept on the premises." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is that he will be back before evening." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots do." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been since then to throw any light upon what became of him." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "'What then?' I asked. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "And your mother is alive?" the matter." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, opportunities to fix the problem. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said your only hope of safety." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried http://www.gutenberg.net do.' detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out to-night's adventure." her also." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a discontent upon his features. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on carpenter." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the