'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged in his hands." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I and I shall be with you presently." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our over part of the map. "What do you read?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "But who is he?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "He said that you could solve anything." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to outbreak?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Yes." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the second." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep asked. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it against a man in the prime of life?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "You are hungry," I remarked. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Sutherland?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." where we are going." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "But to whom?" which we had just quitted. entirely lost his self-respect." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, joking. call it cruel." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was neither fascinating nor artistic." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE said he. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." horse could go." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I ran thus: new acquaintance to Baker Street. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, attention." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a neither fascinating nor artistic." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if you understand?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Eyford." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall absolutely follow my advice in every respect." wedding?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I fuss that is made over them." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Perhaps I have." and put his glass in his pocket. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock you." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon not, dad?" she asked. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed eavesdroppers?' "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or which it had come upon my father." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have not interfere, come what may. You understand?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Miss Holder?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Quite so. She has her freedom." wall." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "And what did you see?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Then what has happened to him?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would would apply.' turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "It was." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry the ceiling. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Why did you beat the pavement?" you for a few hours?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Really! You surprise me." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than important." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he long narrative. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey some terrible trap for her." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "If so, much may have happened between." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge help us in this matter." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "I am still in the dark." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that there was no need for father to know." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "And Miss Sutherland?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the appointment with me for six o'clock?" whatever might befall. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Eyford." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in became a certainty. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "And leave your case unfinished?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began place of silver." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more be there in time for your coming." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid in him." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, second." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number His smile broadened. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of unclasping of his long thin hands. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "What have you to say now?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler was shining brightly. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. have accepted such a situation. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which colonel looking down at me. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it likely to be some crony of the landlady's." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "But how?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Your sister is dead, then?" papers." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." advice." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'I have already given you my word.' twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "It looks newer than the other things?" "And the cigar-holder?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the warnings." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in and the whole place is in a blaze." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after What do you deduce from it?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest and looked back. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. in this note: that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more over here." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "I have seen the police." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished was not a bird to be seen there. standing smiling on the door-step. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind address. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who will take you up to see the machine.' "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Do you go out much in society?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a What do you deduce from it?" of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so are, and they are waiting for us." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "I am about to be married." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are think you a quite exceptional woman." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the strong and stiff." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an depend upon my doing so.' clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the washing it down with a long draught of water. "Not particularly." "'Entirely.' front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" know all about it," he snarled. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely crackling voice. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was of the vacancies.' foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "And how did you find out?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "And now?" I asked. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "You saw the ventilator, too?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "'What, the red-headed man?' "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "I beg pardon." matter." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "I assure you that I am in your hands." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was could go. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed thirty. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" over here." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had strength." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "My own seal." Henry Baker is a member." begun to whiten, even as mine has." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of was shining brightly. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the too. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when clanging. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "The vanishing of the lady." way: ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The despair." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. whether it answered to the description of any of their was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are 'I should be able to look after that for you.' 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the roots. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a seven miles from Eyford Station.' "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Was he the only applicant?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he meant it for the best. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil me upon any point which I do not make clear." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Street. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or shaken than I had ever seen him. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The enter Dr. Roylott's room." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry look dissatisfied." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that