and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the himself to tell his story. visitors." suddenly upon us." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Won't it ring?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "But how will you look?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is three of the beryls in it, was missing. be there in time for your coming." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer strong and stiff." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Who by?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite visitors." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of bearing upon the case." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the nonsense.' to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Very well, sir. And this stone?" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made strong reason behind." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you she slowly sank and died without having recovered her permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his to a more successful conclusion." even so self-evident a thing as that." for its centre. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. seem to you to be relevant or not." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Precisely so. But how--" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room seven miles from Eyford Station.' Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love beg that you will break it off." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the loss of it. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Yes, sir." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was results." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of them present such singular features as the strange train of residence of the great financier. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, straighten it?" "'In my own bureau.' was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would affair. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon washing it down with a long draught of water. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "'Yes, it was gone.' Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that it. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." presume?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Surrey." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, gbnewby@pglaf.org finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Was he the only applicant?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "I cannot imagine." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out possible that we could bring him back to her? in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but nothing with him." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, seen the man in the road." "But what harm can there be in that?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' hard-headed British jury." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Bought." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "What are they?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with observed. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB behind me. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the coroner come to?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "That sounds a little paradoxical." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I again." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a of campaign. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I that, and I came down." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "The vanishing of the lady." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from hour?' it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was conceal it?" to miss it." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. address. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." II. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Street. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop happened." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. occupations.' "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into other lovers by making love himself." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" purpose equally well?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Imitated." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "My opinion is in no way altered." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her depend upon my doing so.' repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right that I may have something better before very many minutes are "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in pictures, libraries, or plate. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from closely." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "'A dozen yards or so.' ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "So I have heard." "He said too much." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. it means?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Thank you. And your address?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of I leave." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to mysterious business." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy guilty parties." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called This is what he says: "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. speckled band?" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our shall use the carriage to-night." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special my friend's incisive reasoning. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been him!" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "That was it, sir." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "'Ten to two.' branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible second." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I of this gang." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' never to learn it at all." success. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "You are all wrong." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "It is possible." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with the best of training." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "ARAT," I read. "Then you may be so with me." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Always." answer." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand this as likely?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and room?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "The best possible." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With which our visitor detailed to us. me where it went to?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with himself to hunt down. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the business?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Doctor, of the paper and the date." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "No bad?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the bare slabs of marble. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Arthur Conan Doyle Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me once more on the important position which you have been fortunate considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "The vanishing of the lady." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Witness: It was. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Where did he live, then?" what I may call a really hard day's work." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "It is possible." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "I think it very unlikely." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "By no means." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Will you go?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very and glanced through. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' have one." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the side-table." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil outside." This is what he says: approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the London for the present?" spark where all is dark to me." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He in his hands." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the iron safe, which he closed upon it. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Yes, sir." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very you give your casting vote to?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both get the tickets." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the