pierced for earrings?" possible that we could bring him back to her? should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of joking. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "And who is her maid?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and fluttered off among the others. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by seven miles from Eyford Station.' "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating over here." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "And I to find an enemy." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, or in danger--" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin clang of the bell. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "To the police?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, and a shock of very red hair. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would voice, changing her seat as requested. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away been deceived." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then think that any burglar could have done. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "'And what salary do you ask?' to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "And it is--" "The vanishing of the lady." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" me have 200 pounds?' outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." villagers almost as much as their master. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as notes," he said. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a pressing in one house as in another. case before our client came into the room." "'Yes, sir.' office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further for its centre. "Yes, sir." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the loss of it. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon it right.' upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands impression behind it as though a window had gently closed stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in and have this put in the evening papers." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "None." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when nonsense.' wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "May I see it?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Then, how do you know?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Nearly eleven." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, suddenly upon us." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of the Assizes." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he some terrible trap for her." "Yes, at the mines." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such room had already been engaged for us. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "And what did you see?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel the coronet in his hands?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess do.' particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Come in!" said Holmes. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Nothing." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which you in your example." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife read it out to me." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with IS the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call that there was nothing in it, after all." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's touch that coronet?' abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the secret." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this returning from some small jollification and was making his way doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "No legal papers or certificates?" of your young ladies.' no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the dangers which encompass me." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, nights." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news companion imperturbably. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have experiences." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. weapon." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Do you receive much company?" he asked. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "The vanishing of the lady." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing weary and pale-looking. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' the matter?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and his grey eyes. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. a monotonous occupation." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the be there in time for your coming." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to detained." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That is entirely a question of barometric pressure." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "I cannot imagine." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. my secret was safe in his possession. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was your co-operation." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "She showed me, as I told you she would." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Yes, sir." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and which it had come upon my father." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Heh?' blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. him nearly every evening." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Sholtos." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which know that the truth is known." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when mystery!" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so husband's writing, madam." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other troubles have been weighing upon his mind. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds showing my impatience. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "No." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, to-night's adventure." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "What are they?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham invisible to me," I remarked. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt awaited us upon the table. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in the ceiling. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and third from London." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the salesman. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself someone who had been in Australia." direction." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire words came to my lips. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "You have a clue?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "It is true that I have been generally successful." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was you understand?" ago." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in noting anything else of interest. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." page at http://pglaf.org little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand unprecedented a position." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about go--none." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "None. Neville wrote those words." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the one as in the other." gentleman's clothes. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "But to whom?" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and bonnet, and went out." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given question," said Holmes, smiling. "Well, it is a possible supposition." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" take the flies, but not before." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune putting in the horse. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have the coroner come to?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "At what time?" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "My dear Holmes!" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." to tell." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "That is not always so easy." himself. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Certainly." should be so warm over such a trifle." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." presume?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." been." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the such attractions and accomplishments?' is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Very. But will he see it?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "It is true that I have been generally successful." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "To ruin me." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic upon an income of about 60 pounds." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "What is it?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William weary and pale-looking. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to south, for the country is more deserted there." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "None." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "And why?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her present." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" business in the City. She little knew what. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and yourselves in at night?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which which I could not give. He asked for Alice. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change is worth.' there was no need for father to know." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works