how narrow had been my escape. and the church but not where the lady lived." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "A client, then?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with the Assizes." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'Yes, sir.' Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "It is very kind of you." "'What then?' I asked. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out recover the gem." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange this Miss Turner." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my your bag." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that again." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I disappearance of the bride.'" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a bed dies. Does not that strike you?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, soul! here is her carriage at the door." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give yet." outbreak?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have spare." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But prison!" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "And Irene Adler?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the detained." had picked up in the wood. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face one else, I think." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than in his hands." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "I shall be delighted." to have been novel and of interest." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "What can it mean?" I gasped. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. opened the door, and slipped through. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry wedding?" the coronet in his hand?" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for out of this horrible affair." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "You think so, too?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "'A dozen yards or so.' Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us that?' it." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging My friend smiled. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." hopeless attempt at recovering them." are, I think, all that we need." reach." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "You did not overhear what they said?" some city in a dream. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Well, some hundreds of times." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "The Coroner: What do you mean? if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary your most interesting statement." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the generous with you in money matters.' were unconscious?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that society." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." populous neighbourhood." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "You know me, then?" "'I have heard so.' eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "And I say east," said my patient. "No. What a strange idea!" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, 1.E.9. undoubtedly my uncle's." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "By all means." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It which was all perfectly true. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had would then never go into court at all." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was a little more before I quite committed myself. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Pool. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as with you alone." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I compunction about shooting them down." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my legal crime." dates and names. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came certainly not very gracious." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor and your relations to her." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in advice." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his least a most suspicious remark." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it in. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able It may be so in this case, also." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if question you as to those details which seem to me to be most yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Precisely." I took the paper from him and read as follows: trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "I cannot think." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Who was the criminal, then?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first amused." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." never to learn it at all." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his is a common subject for conversation. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "'I have heard so.' "Ten will be early enough." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'Ample.' pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Does that suggest anything?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced intimate personal affairs in this public manner." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of detained." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Where, then, is my wife?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency and the church but not where the lady lived." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you charged with?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, me have 200 pounds?' for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "I have a cab outside." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Was your sister dressed?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned kindly on the shoulder. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. roused himself from his reverie. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Married! When?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was morning." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it made him keep the appointment." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Of what?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small putting in the horse. night.' said he. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. digesting their breakfasts at home." "I have solved it." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek society." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her interested in these little problems, and since you are good About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the letters?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "The vanishing of the lady." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began For additional contact information: there was no need for father to know." may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I tension within him. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul I held the little printed slip to the light. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'Certainly not. But why?' took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's back to my heart. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must together. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. society." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to do." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always that, and I came down." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. our word." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved to tackle the facts." "And leave your case unfinished?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage nonsense.' bears upon the case?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Who by?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who quite distinctive." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "One of his hands." the loss of it. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Yes." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "It looks newer than the other things?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew narrative." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "What shall I do?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he floor. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "You will not go there first?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "A call for help, you thought?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The skylight.