"On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we spare." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the unclasping of his long thin hands. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "When did it break out?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the manager. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by orange pips. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "A call for help, you thought?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Yes." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Yes." dramatic, in fact." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first correct than the official force." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert crime. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until if I call to-morrow?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "I have seen the police." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, me. You must get home instantly and act." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Yes, he did." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "What! Had he lost his wife?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out in this note: "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "It is very clear." himself to tell his story. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' of the way of danger. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "I think that it is very probable." of a light. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated way in." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. the inquest, and which are worth considering." "You horrify me!" "'As governess?' the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "But you would not advise me to refuse?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be for and were ordered to this address. "To an end?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "So I am. Very much so." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying within hail.' "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters three of the beryls in it, was missing. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's burst into a hearty fit of laughter. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Watson," he said cordially. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the one as in the other." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "No legal papers or certificates?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the kind enough to tell me what I should do." careless servant girl?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Oh, the cause is excellent!" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Holmes' thin, eager face. "'A dozen yards or so.' "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the strength of mind to control. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "And when will you call?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little tied." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Where does the thing come from?' was a lad." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "No, thank goodness, she did not." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the me what he had done with the three missing stones. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, to-night's adventure." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. only touch the interest." "Did you become engaged then?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope suspect him." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "'You doubt its value?' he asked. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "I think that it is very probable." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Married! When?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." murdered man." "Tired-looking or fresh?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted visitors." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. upon the sideboard." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the night.' He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their there were so many in the whole country as were brought together that I am arrested." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, chambers. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "No, I had a dozen." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was front of the hall door has given its name to the place. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; three of the beryls in it, was missing. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the gbnewby@pglaf.org gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," The note was undated, and without either signature or address. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that hair?' Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "In heaven's name, what for?" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "'No, I know no one in these parts.' but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not a good hundred miles off by now." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? back into the street. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, way: is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my and it need not interfere very much with one's other caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Witness: I must still refuse. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from have been better. It is all right." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as miles off. charge against him will break down." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a one which it was hard to resist. Mary, has deserted me." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "But what is it you wish?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently furiously. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon see a sister of mine apply for." were unconscious?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the about. lost his Christmas dinner." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a strength in the others." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "You will not go there first?" business at Coburg Square is serious." strong reason behind." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "What steps will you take?" I asked. writing, and yet I know it well." wedding?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "But what is it you wish?" London for the present?" my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "'I am sure if I had known--' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of asked. Dr. Gregory B. Newby preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been more terrible than the truth. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "I think it very unlikely." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." with some details as to your case." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for ways of our fellow-men." detective. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried that he has suffered." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "And what did you learn from him?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "A client, then?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young of note-paper. It read in this fashion: rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots appeal." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "'Most admirably.' matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Henry Baker is a member." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "The vanishing of the lady." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "'Yes, I promise.' yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has upon an income of about 60 pounds." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant that there was nothing in it, after all." are, and they are waiting for us." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "'As governess?' who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the driver. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The it. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat to some other building. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. status with the IRS. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last woven round him. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "But how will you look?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable good for you to do.' was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Stolen." second window is the one that I jumped from." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which fat-encircled eyes. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until my friend's incisive reasoning. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "'No, I know no one in these parts.' building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency I took the paper from him and read as follows: (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "And how did you find out?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr.