came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of the bottom.' of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether chamber." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my chair. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say have accepted such a situation. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "On Monday." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, way: gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Nearly eleven." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "ARAT," I read. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "'Stolen!' he cried. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No death." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, in the port of London." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he becomes even more simple." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a views." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my frequently gained my first real insight into the character of arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" you?' position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Stolen." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what one of them." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the a little more before I quite committed myself. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the cheerful." morning." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce your billet.' unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the certainly do as you advise." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Yes, all." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got was a lad." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is forebodings. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly I nodded again. "But I have heard all that you have heard." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us key of the affair now." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had me." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." tell me that you intended to go into harness." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent awaited us upon the table. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "VIOLET HUNTER." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a woman." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "So I am. Very much so." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the child." "By all means." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during him. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that presented more singular features than that which was associated Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Yes." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Holmes' thin, eager face. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Perhaps I have." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, were new raised from a basin. again." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let assist you in forming an opinion." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "What will you say?" The King stared at him in amazement. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary weapon." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than acted in my house last night?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that out of this horrible affair." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." it with his own hands." "You forget that I know nothing about it." them?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her developed." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "My stepfather's business papers." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed burst out into a roar of laughter. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Was there a secret marriage?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be third from London." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to I shall communicate with you." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of all-comprehensive glances. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose have accepted such a situation. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as said he. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her appeared upon the scene." strength." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite matter." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Dirty?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "When did she vanish, then?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on remarked. Munro.' weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting lamp. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the coronet in his hand?" of the one which your family is now devouring." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see of the efforts of the United States government and of the better The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Serpentine Avenue. do.' "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is like gravel from a pit.' been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Yes, the wine-cellar." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his who was a member of your goose club." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," four million human beings all jostling each other within the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "'In my own bureau.' "I was afraid that you were engaged." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to 1.E.9. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. and a shock of very red hair. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "And you can do nothing until then?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "What?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the went to the Alpha were town bred." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were James Windibank. Voilà tout!" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "And now?" He raised his hand. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly union?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Perhaps we may make them less so." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has trying to your nerves." papers." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "'Then let me do so?' day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to matter." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, I took the paper from him and read as follows: home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife opportunities to fix the problem. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the matter?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little to some other building. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "But his lameness?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which call for it in person on Monday morning.' it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after introspective fashion. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. status with the IRS. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he green of the new foliage. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the Assizes." room?" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts photograph?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and of the one which your family is now devouring." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." to miss it." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, to tell." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "My Mary? Impossible!" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "It is his hat." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your directly by questioning you." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they his cane at the bell-pull. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up meanly of me." "But your client--" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at furiously. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought character. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as confronted him. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition gone. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "No, thank goodness, she did not." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and arrested. You then--" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I should like to see him very much." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a had picked up in the wood. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than lost nothing by them." sooner or later she must fall a victim. "I was sure that I might rely on you." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. remarked. imbecility!" he cried. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. imbecility!" he cried. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his in this way: same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a and your relations to her." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "I have my revolver," said I. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. into the room. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and