half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'There is a drive, then?' room. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it few hundred pounds.' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving neither fascinating nor artistic." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned your billet.' "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, remarked. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "'Where to?' he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "I am all attention, madam." to a more successful conclusion." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I is four-and-twenty." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Eyford at 11:15.' "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Yes?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in meant it for the best. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to down from London to inquire more deeply into it." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking to-night's adventure." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "But you were on a friendly footing?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' waste of energy." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. will not take me long to tell. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking are, and they are waiting for us." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "But what is it you wish?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "I answered that I had not. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about round with crates and massive boxes. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem a few minutes he said that it would be all right. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was thin legs towards the fire. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, page at http://pglaf.org some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "'Entirely.' six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I chance at all." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "No sign of it?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than ventilator." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and I think that I could be of assistance to you." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "What shall I do?" green of the new foliage. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "He slept on the premises." affection." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to seem to you to be relevant or not." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he extraordinary contortions. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads room. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots the night.' to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham seen the man in the road." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who examination of the premises, but without finding anything which face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "So I am. Very much so." "Oh, fresh and glossy." Again Holmes raved in the air. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' ways including including checks, online payments and credit card society." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Dark enough and sinister enough." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the the Red-headed League." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard remarked. as noiselessly as she had come. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I for the market.' two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally just ask you whether you had heard it.' be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the past. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say in this way: "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman be best to do. gbnewby@pglaf.org "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Not social, then?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "He might." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And papers on the sundial.'" "Then the page we have seen--" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "I was certainly surprised to find you there." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and would apply.' better in every way that they should make their position a little "And Irene Adler?" power." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and me have 200 pounds?' "No." train.' give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment noting anything else of interest. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "What!" he roared. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Yes, that is the Crown." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "One of his hands." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been think that he is innocent?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "To the police?" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms do.' pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional tell them apart.' unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a ashen face. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the conclusions. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Yes." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Of what day?" you." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be his wife has ceased to love him." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what your most interesting statement." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "I cannot as yet see any connection." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building putting in the horse. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "I cannot as yet see any connection." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Yes, sir." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." I shall communicate with you." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Not yet." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes of a light. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora beyond words. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Yes, he did." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure to a light-house. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the instincts rose up against that laugh. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Which surely he restored to their owner?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. maiden herself was most instructive." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom morning." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "I was afraid that you were engaged." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "I fear not." said I. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The said Mr. Holder. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the one which it was hard to resist. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Yes." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. helping a boy to put up the shutters. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of perplexity from it to my illustrious client. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far allusion to a rat. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." I leave." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "But we can't all be." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper instituted." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the coronet in his hand?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could respectable self." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "But I am all in the dark." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "This photograph!" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "He slept on the premises." amused." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the him!" a suggestive one." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. foot. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "What I expected to see." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands occurred." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss in his hands." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "'Yes, sir.' of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Your French gold?" intrusion of other matters." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I not come at once?" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates already referred to. "The vanishing of the lady." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "The gentleman I describe." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." awaited us upon the table. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little colour had been driven from his face. memory. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past upon an income of about 60 pounds." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "You are hungry," I remarked. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while my former friend and companion. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "They are typewritten," I remarked. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my for securing the situation." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of what do you think they found in the pockets?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this village inn over there?" of." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in some place of shelter and let the county police know what has so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a