on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found served to weaken the effect. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "'Yes, sir.' had picked up in the wood. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock bird I ate is country bred." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "And who is her maid?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." mysterious end." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any kindly on the shoulder. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the his face which made him a very different person to the round, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" which our visitor detailed to us. "But what will you do?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with I shall continue with my miserable story. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that humiliation." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom would then never go into court at all." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He and shall probably return to London by the evening train." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I ready to-morrow?' the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which letters?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which done what I asked you, Jones?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch congratulate you again." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a where she found matters as described by the last witness. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with bell. Holmes whistled. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Stolen, then." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned once more for Briony Lodge. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "If I can be of use." of the vacancies.' gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Then you may be so with me." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Then I shall certainly come." "It was an hour's good drive." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the pressing in one house as in another. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "That is it on the dressing-table." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get eavesdroppers?' across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should strong reason behind." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few happened." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly for the market.' first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. prisoner's face. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Always." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "No. What a strange idea!" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Foundation When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I strength." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. lamp in his hand. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "What! Had he lost his wife?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "This concluded the examination of the witness." train.' blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, be sorry for having acted so harshly." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "It looks newer than the other things?" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had astonishment. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is gentleman's clothes. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The to affect your life." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' that I may have something better before very many minutes are shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is me what he had done with the three missing stones. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Where is it, then?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable shall use the carriage to-night." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private was a lad." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "I cannot as yet see any connection." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "He might." over here." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind respectable self." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." soul! here is her carriage at the door." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not his fortune, and I went back to pa. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Countess of Morcar's?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a I held the little printed slip to the light. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, shall use the carriage to-night." "Precisely so. But how--" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the read over the extraordinary announcement. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the new acquaintance to Baker Street. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no we went to search for him, face downward in a little I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed get her out of the way." with you alone." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Was she in good spirits?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began been lifted and conveyed somewhere." of this gang." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head six. Come in!" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Yes. He waved his hands." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "About a month then." assist you in forming an opinion." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Was she in good spirits?" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, second window is the one that I jumped from." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or in him." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so through." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he together. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible crackling voice. Sholtos." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in done what I asked you, Jones?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with for securing the situation." "No. What a strange idea!" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the them present such singular features as the strange train of flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our in the dead of the night?' "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "What I expected to see." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey few hundred pounds.' tassel actually lying upon the pillow. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and some place of shelter and let the county police know what has not as remarkable as your advertisement." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple go from here to the Strand." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of I leave." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed lamp in his hand. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "And your mother is alive?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then that you saw all that I did." conduct the inquiry." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears conduct the inquiry." ways of our fellow-men." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "And help." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him and laid it on the table. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "How many? I don't know." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this never will be, entirely cleared up. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the best of training." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking do.' Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." better in every way that they should make their position a little have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a fish-monger and a tide-waiter." if she died from some sudden fright." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an John Swain, of St. Augustine. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what had this final quarrel? "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Yes." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Then I am your man." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "'In my own bureau.' And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Yes." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. formed some opinion?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Awake, Watson?" he asked. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, amused." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. him to go away.' cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Dr. Becher's." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "BALLARAT." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Was she in good spirits?" at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted burst into a hearty fit of laughter. dead, shall be safe with us." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged indeed which he could not unravel. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted posted to-day." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed me upon any point which I do not make clear." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "What! Had he lost his wife?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced my little problems." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "But what will you do?" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the