right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but correct than the official force." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of ready to-morrow?' and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's whole matter to your consideration." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the matter." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "The vanishing of the lady." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "'I am sure if I had known--' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a one's self under obligations.' "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun next day. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is little trying to do so much typewriting?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began vault. in the hope of finding them." distinguish the words: "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "You have carte blanche." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it laugh and put his lips to my ear. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a examine." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady man. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very feature." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed come either from the window or the door. My attention was "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his newspaper selections." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small and no precautions can guard against." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with views." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." and all of them with the keenest interest. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the of receipt of the work. Literary Archive Foundation "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your that he will be back before evening." Pool. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "I cannot tell." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as ceremony." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him chance at all." gentleman's clothes. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she see me here to avoid scandal." definite end. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Why, what do you mean?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove and it need not interfere very much with one's other misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "'It is locked up,' I answered. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight directly by questioning you." it." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about bore every mark of being an average commonplace British most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that is acting for the best. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your the salesman. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" to affect your life." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "That you are never beaten." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. this remarkable episode. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "What! a murderous attack?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the I took the paper from him and read as follows: points in connection with it which never have been, and probably or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the some water from a caraffe. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one weighed down with some great anxiety. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was said he. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of when you have done it." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Not social, then?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "You know me, then?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, shall not find me ungrateful." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "And I." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "What then?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door light and attacked it." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Yes, he did." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence for the market.' 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some go--none." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Only as much as we can deduce." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "But how?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about people don't know." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which singular points about the case. What did the police think of the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the been deceived." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon congratulate you again." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Why serious?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, point in the dark hollow of his hand. British peeress.'" the little opening for the ventilator is." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he deduce something from that?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in populous neighbourhood." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter constraint." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I was not a bird to be seen there. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "You were travelling in the States?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have his huge brown hands. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Witness: It was. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side are, I think, all that we need." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Holmes." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young purpose equally well?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "But how did you gain them?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project I am not easy in my mind about them." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until heavy and sharp instrument." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin power." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "You think that he is dead?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" that I may have something better before very many minutes are into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have I. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Mary, has deserted me." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "So I have heard." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "A client, then?" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the such person." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. crime." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Yes." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "That also I could fathom." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "We were both in the photograph." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Farm upon the left." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "'Certainly not. But why?' "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "'Yes, sir.' I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Yes." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, direction." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very hard-headed British jury." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "I think that it is very probable." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained daring than any effort of the imagination." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Nothing?" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "I have hopes." "The vanishing of the lady." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "But who is he?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his people don't know." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "What will you do, then?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his went to the Alpha were town bred." looking up at the numbers of the houses." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a This is what he says: correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out and capable of preserving a secret.' received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most matters immensely." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "And that is--" me what he had done with the three missing stones. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the in. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if upon the sideboard." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "'What would be the hours?' I asked. been with you?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. whatever might befall. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Stolen." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or results." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers outsides of the windows. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you done what I asked you, Jones?" "I should like to see him very much." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "So I have heard." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "It surprised me." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "My opinion is in no way altered." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "'Where could I find him?' not use it unless it is absolutely needed." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland on in his house." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his the tragedy. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a locked. copied or distributed: my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Quite so. She has her freedom." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for