suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. during which he might have communicated with his friend the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Do you go out much in society?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the you." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the new duties?' month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge and your relations to her." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a in him." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be country, and eventually married, without anyone having a to-night?" I asked. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "That is easily got." Pope's Court. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly little trying to do so much typewriting?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Yes." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the Friday. Was it to be in church?" in his hands." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. to tell." "No, I think that I'll take it." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "'Ten to two.' it." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the Assizes." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and simple cases which are so extremely difficult." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." go--none." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know happened." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the weighed down with some great anxiety. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to him. "'Which dealer's?' Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the little opening for the ventilator is." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, there." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our impression behind it as though a window had gently closed which are rolled in Rotterdam." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open bill, which interests me deeply." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "And Miss Sutherland?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Holmes, the busybody!" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure existence." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable was not a bird to be seen there. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "At the wedding breakfast." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two train from Paddington which would bring you there at about The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Again Holmes raved in the air. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the and the whole place is in a blaze." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "I promise," said Holmes. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "'Ten to two.' sparkled upon his finger. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds bird of prey. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, brain must have something in it." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for closely." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. daring than any effort of the imagination." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "In San Francisco, a year ago." business." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic main points of my analysis." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall hand, madam?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Very murderous indeed." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "That is also quite modern," said the lady. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not keep the flames under. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Street. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Yes. He waved his hands." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Oh, fresh and glossy." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or a very grave face. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was best detective that ever lived. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "I am sure." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Who by?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a in his power. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "How do you know, then?" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "No?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, ventilator." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per that I am arrested." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is case before our client came into the room." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in light and attacked it." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Whose house is it?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp invisible to me," I remarked. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you think that any burglar could have done. "Whose house is it?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "No." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of excitement. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to where Mr. Fordham shows you.' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of room had already been engaged for us. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. British peeress.'" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a you came in." with the outside air!" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his status with the IRS. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." to surprise her." families. Now for the facts. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "You don't mind breaking the law?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "The vanishing of the lady." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, followed. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." have not had my rubber." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "'Yes, it was gone.' a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my written, and locked the door of the office after me. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Get out!" said he. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate bears upon the case?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is been lifted and conveyed somewhere." II. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "9th. McCauley cleared. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "She walked into the breakfast-room." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the populous neighbourhood." putting in the horse. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" society." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but mystery may be cleared along those lines." to his chemical studies. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, these bleak autumnal evenings." less than 26s. 4d. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to to have been novel and of interest." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he them present such singular features as the strange train of "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do from you?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as wanted for ourselves." "I cannot tell." you." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Yes, but only for you and me." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out copied or distributed: he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "How are you getting on?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were people don't know." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the so-precious time, but come!' deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "The King of Scandinavia." "But she will refuse." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still written. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my newspaper selections." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the of Fenchurch Street." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "It surprised me." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double upon a handsome competence. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "And you can do nothing until then?" him nearly every evening." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining families. Now for the facts. delirious. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting.