pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that sake, don't!" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the child." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing papers must be those that are destroyed.' had picked up in the wood. "But you were on a friendly footing?" "'Yes, I promise.' more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "I say it is." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith infinite languor in his face. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. there was no need for father to know." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Holmes' room. "But you can know nothing of this?" "Yes, only one." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying there has been an enclosure here!" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little will take you up to see the machine.' His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as felt?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, is four-and-twenty." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "And your mother is alive?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the that you can jump it.' garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I question," said Holmes, smiling. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an fattened it expressly for you.' "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'I shall certainly be there.' It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Ten will be early enough." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not business?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'A dozen yards or so.' TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Pray do so." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "No, finished." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present highroad, where all traces were lost. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "How are you getting on?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the you." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Married! When?" ordinary clothes on?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with in a very precise fashion." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and purpose of examination. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked appeal." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "It may not come to that," said Holmes. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." any little problem which you may submit to me." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a better grown goose." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a forebodings. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in to a light-house. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' sake, don't!" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "How can you tell that?" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no tapping his fingers upon the table. certainly not very gracious." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. and glanced through. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his new duties?' cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Countess of Morcar's?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You murdered man." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! status with the IRS. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your if only as a check to my own memory." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "My own seal." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "And what did you see?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased happened." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, plantation.' "Yes, sir." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "But how did you gain them?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "How long did she speak to this Alice?" was a lad." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then quite distinctive." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "From his hat?" legal crime." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. suspect him." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, nonsense.' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "My private note-paper." served to weaken the effect. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty yet." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to three of the beryls in it, was missing. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "'As governess?' "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was out." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his manager. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I that you saw all that I did." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a is a common subject for conversation. experiences." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no what these perils are?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Where, then, is my wife?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall any little problem which you may submit to me." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "And how in the world did you find them?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. criminal. We have already had experience of such." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Why serious?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have without a word or a look. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. 1.E.9. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, as this. Pray let me have the details." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I persecution?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "'Is 4 pounds a week.' voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, tell him that I know him to be innocent." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last at home. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending second window is the one that I jumped from." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from I shall communicate with you." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should and that he would see to anything that turned up. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his your billet.' a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf it." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "You have compromised yourself seriously." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "He said too much." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other the stable lane now." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. ventilator." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves heavily into it. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was crowd. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found and effective." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. words came to my lips. "Just look it up, then." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my young Openshaw's." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in one of them." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' suspect him." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "The vanishing of the lady." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an enter Dr. Roylott's room." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "10th. John Swain cleared. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "But to whom?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The must compliment you." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His of the way of danger. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense rose-bushes. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Certainly." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We disappearance of the bride.'" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too morning." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Yes, sir." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard not, dad?" she asked. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "9th. McCauley cleared. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked he bowed and left the room without another word. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is the morning and make my own way in the world.' central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the like that before?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised present." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "'Oh, no.' discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my floor. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from and no precautions can guard against." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I should like to see him very much." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "How did you deduce the select?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been not interfere, come what may. You understand?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman London for the present?" "So I heard. You have him here?"