was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman enter Dr. Roylott's room." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Yes, he did." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by good-night and bustled off upon her way. even so self-evident a thing as that." if I call to-morrow?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "'Then let me do so?' of a light. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Well." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "If so, much may have happened between." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded you understand?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "What, then, did Peterson do?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend note?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my absolutely follow my advice in every respect." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Seven!" I answered. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Pray continue your narrative." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the fact, we may call it conclusive." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray upon an income of about 60 pounds." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' as yours." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Henry Baker is a member." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, and the colonel ushered me in. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Married! When?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still colonel looking down at me. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" grasp, he hurried from the room. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the light and attacked it." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential if she died from some sudden fright." nights." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "One of the highest in England." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. just ask you whether you had heard it.' copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "The vanishing of the lady." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Pray do so." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or outbreak?" "About a month then." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "I have seen the police." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "The knees of his trousers." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Does that suggest anything?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I ordinary clothes on?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in who was a member of your goose club." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote to-morrow." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He one else, I think." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of McCarthy." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "What do you mean?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet done what I asked you, Jones?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "But not more so than I to find you." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from and inquire as to the address." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the see me here to avoid scandal." case before our client came into the room." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a he bowed and left the room without another word. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. if she died from some sudden fright." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "And did you observe any change in her then?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an situation." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the like that before?" "But it has twice been burgled." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, opened the door, and slipped through. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and made his money." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he presume?" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the of receipt of the work. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's key of the affair now." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the do." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' your billet.' he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all his fortune, and I went back to pa. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." heavy and sharp instrument." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Where to?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found threw himself down with his face to the pillow. States. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. woman." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe always that they were such commands as a lady might with murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Not particularly." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every said Mr. Holder. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "I cannot as yet see any connection." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Very truly yours, sooner or later she must fall a victim. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we man. felt the room to be a little close.' "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are hopeless attempt at recovering them." "How on earth--" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "My last client of the sort was a king." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "It is very kind of you." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship until night should bring an explanation. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Stolen, then." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "And I say east," said my patient. your equipment. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Street. to a light-house. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "And you don't know his address?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. the driver. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "About a month then." "Oh, fresh and glossy." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "And why?" newspaper selections." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Very truly yours, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. nights." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure delirious. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Never to return." detained." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." memory. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Get out!" said he. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "The best possible." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they to miss it." fact, we may call it conclusive." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "'And the work?' salesman. could go. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "No, thank goodness, she did not." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough status with the IRS. "Here?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate like gravel from a pit.' a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "The best possible." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, other lovers by making love himself." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that and it need not interfere very much with one's other Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "But we can't all be." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "'Ample.' manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "I am all attention, madam." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "A greater distance to travel." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but the bed, and you in that chair." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "What I expected to see." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the hardly wander." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "And when will you call?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the one as in the other." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the had formerly been in part my own. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I there was no need for father to know." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "No." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and morning." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no nothing with him." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head is," said he presently: "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead and inquire as to the address." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "He might." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "And leave your case unfinished?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I it means?"