which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little she has been waylaid. There has been no result." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his during which he might have communicated with his friend the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Why did you beat the pavement?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is mysterious end." and I shall be with you presently." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his young Openshaw's." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the of a light. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll your bag." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips it." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her carried out of court." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest their singular warning or token before them when starting upon acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "It is to him that this trophy belongs." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking me, and I could not think that his explanation of the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly detained." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "The vanishing of the lady." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "No. What a strange idea!" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him it." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "'What then?' I asked. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save writers could invent nothing more crude." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very believe that I should never have any practice at all. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "How did you deduce the select?" late." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "My dear Holmes!" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Thank you. Pray proceed." "And I." noting anything else of interest. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the existence." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching that into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is appointment with me for six o'clock?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Where did you address your letters, then?" wedding?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Entirely." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "'Ample.' the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Literary Archive Foundation "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the shaken than I had ever seen him. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you time." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out crackling voice. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to place no limit on the sum I may draw." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, it right.' I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "To ruin me." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of undoubtedly my uncle's." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without gone. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" voice. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she and no precautions can guard against." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. detained." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Pray continue your narrative." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight key turn in the lock." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon For additional contact information: began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady good-night and bustled off upon her way. crowd. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "No." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "You have compromised yourself seriously." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the himself to hunt down. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get business." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Thank you. And your address?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 arrested. You then--" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "'And what are they worth?' I asked. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he himself to hunt down. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "'Is purely nominal.' homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon hardly wander." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "On the contrary, this is the right side." it." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my unclasping of his long thin hands. gigantic client. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to little adventures." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the unprofitable." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay key of the affair now." during that time.' of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "No more words. Get out!" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you tapping his fingers upon the table. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered The note was undated, and without either signature or address. floor. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through had this final quarrel? "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "You forget that I know nothing about it." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your business." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do feature." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "My private note-paper." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as used to be." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and are windows in it, of course?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Where, then?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. something of him before." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and your room." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Not yet." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a shoulder. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any made him keep the appointment." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, young Openshaw's." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, 1.F. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Absolutely?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. before the coroner and the police-court." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice astonishment. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Was she in good spirits?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" away into the river." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." to me. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem and files of the old papers, following the future career of every merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to fuss that is made over them." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "His face fell immediately. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous do." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had case-book, which he consulted. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which note?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in peculiar to him. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." bare slabs of marble. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "It is true that I have been generally successful." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Whose house is it?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Will you bet, then?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have writing, and yet I know it well." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "May I see it?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a look upon these things in a different way."