a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Where does the thing come from?' "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual eat it." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is appointment with me for six o'clock?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." so far?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who again." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not appointment with me for six o'clock?" "And what did you learn from him?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "It is very clear." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "And why?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Dr. Becher's." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal forebodings. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Nothing." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to crime." "That is it on the dressing-table." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a head. So long, then!" "The King of Scandinavia." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced next day. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there returned to France?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see over with notes and figures. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. enter Dr. Roylott's room." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed good-night and bustled off upon her way. believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Yes." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down entirely devoid of interest." did not hear it also.' get her out of the way." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "From his hat?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "The vanishing of the lady." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK correct than the official force." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the union?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we a good hundred miles off by now." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must down. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "You have carte blanche." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "The murder was done with it." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "No, thank goodness, she did not." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "She will not sell." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his to have that photograph." noting anything else of interest. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Upon what point?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Yes, only one." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary companion quietly. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." together. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see of it with the greatest attention. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'Where to?' burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while chair. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "No, but the enclosure is." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the tell me that you intended to go into harness." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the shaken than I had ever seen him. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to despair." waste of energy." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and asked with his eyes open. quick march!" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "But of what society?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried recover the gem." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where and glanced through. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Yes, they were peculiar boots." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon in the hope of finding them." "The vanishing of the lady." "Yes." guilty one." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too and effective." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Ample." purpose equally well?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid guilty one." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. whole matter to your consideration." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager weigh very heavily upon my conscience." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." direction." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "And how in the world did you find them?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate I have it here in my museum." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Holmes, the busybody!" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I evidence," I remarked. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a breakfast and whispered something to her husband. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said walking." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He and files of the old papers, following the future career of every I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little that bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Were they all fastened this morning?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass visitors." "No." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "We must sit without light. He would see it through the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him do." again, where I was soon asleep. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "I am about to be married." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who upon an income of about 60 pounds." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This mysterious end." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg eavesdroppers?' we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Bought." himself to tell his story. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." she might be summoned. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings again before evening." lamp. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what I shall communicate with you." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Just look it up, then." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. has little to do with my story." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "On Monday." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent you?' say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the companion. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Where, then, is my wife?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is or other trace. But how on earth--" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own to change my dress. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "But I am all in the dark." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," I approached. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further what I may call a really hard day's work." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote man. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for shoulder. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and row." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the galvanised. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Why, it's a dummy," said he. companion imperturbably. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "What, then?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day be sorry for having acted so harshly." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of cause to be." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon better in every way that they should make their position a little "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through politicians who had been sent down from the North. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be morning." what do you think they found in the pockets?" "I never have." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a thin legs towards the fire. "That is easily got." the room while you explain this matter?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second affair. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk not use it unless it is absolutely needed." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the child." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check delirious. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and man. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Precisely." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "To ruin me." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open constraint." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him astonishment. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. hurried away. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "And you can do nothing until then?"