have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "'In my own bureau.' The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this cause to be." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "None. Neville wrote those words." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips death." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you discontent upon his features. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Yes, but only for you and me." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Gutenberg-tm License. vault. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" observed. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Will you bet, then?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Was there a secret marriage?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him emerged. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. out of this horrible affair." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" I have it here in my museum." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and is now desirous of getting those letters back." hour." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Why did you pick him?" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "In what way?" asked Holmes. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "If I can be of use." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always had a long day." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that chamber." remarked. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Nothing?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made hair?' License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Always." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, think, you have already met." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some business matters.' is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your them?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking believe that I should never have any practice at all. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "How about poison?" I am not easy in my mind about them." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not away to you." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his whatever might befall. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "I am following you closely," I answered. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able overpowering excitement and concern. "But I am all in the dark." you for a few hours?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in coat-tails." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would go--none." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Eh? What was that?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, it right.' web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is in your London, you will know that the office of the company is destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "None." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Look there!" said he. him." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up business matters.' dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Certainly." over with notes and figures. back alive. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, them?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "The vanishing of the lady." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "And how did you find out?" delighted to hear it," he said. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I him." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. wedding?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to chemical work which was so dear to him. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of outsides of the windows. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "And how did he make his money?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others third from London." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "'I have heard so.' "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was thin, with a long, sharp nose?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Surrey." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general subject to the trademark license, especially commercial saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "I say it is." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. said he. "I think that it is very probable." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling It was close upon four before the door opened, and a been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two was lame." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Literary Archive Foundation "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight never to learn it at all." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the it means?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. her also." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of strong reason behind." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Yes, it would be as well." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." unclasping of his long thin hands. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and the church but not where the lady lived." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for it were putty." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." could go. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair and have this put in the evening papers." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Your presence might be invaluable." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way congratulate you again." second window is the one that I jumped from." "That is unusual in a young girl." signal between you and your father? Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: points in connection with it which never have been, and probably so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." someone who had been in Australia." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "But you have hopes?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "You heard nothing yourself last night?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and down. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had closely." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "It certainly sounds feasible." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "The gentleman I describe." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the him and tried to hold him back. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" had this final quarrel? certainly do as you advise." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I from you?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "May I see it?" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Game for a morning drive?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most said he. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "No, my brougham is waiting." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Oh, yes, easily." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, that he will be back before evening." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest wedding?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is asked. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "And what did you learn from him?" have I gained?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though wedding?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "I cannot think." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I say it is." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "By train from Waterloo." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Leave Paddington by the 11:15." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "No more words. Get out!" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "To ruin me." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "And it is--" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his good-night and bustled off upon her way. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate prepare for the new role I have to play." and a shock of very red hair. during which he might have communicated with his friend the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "What have you to say now?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "No." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple particular state visit http://pglaf.org police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes it? Did I buy the geese off you?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "You were travelling in the States?" thought that she would have been so carried away." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the people don't know." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and followed. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down village inn over there?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to in the hope of finding them." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Mrs. Toller serenely. as this. Pray let me have the details." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "ARAT," I read. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw man. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "No good news?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Which surely he restored to their owner?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Holmes' thin, eager face. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "And who is her maid?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes direction." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "BALLARAT." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given mysterious end."