lamp in his hand. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Then the page we have seen--" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "What?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. there is a decided draught." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed interests were the same as his." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Yes, he did." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you drove away. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the bottom.' had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "You horrify me!" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for within hail.' I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to I was concerned in it." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "You did not overhear what they said?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty come either from the window or the door. My attention was of his shoulders. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I beg pardon." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "'I have heard so.' unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Absolutely none." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective papers diligently of late, have you not?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something gbnewby@pglaf.org step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly man. "It's nothing of the kind." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Countess of Morcar's?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he tear off another piece?' "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning relief. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, figure." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a been deceived." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very whatever might befall. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have come either from the window or the door. My attention was these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she approach us with offers to donate. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "But how?" the roots. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "No. His orders were to stay in the house." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the never came back." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "It is very clear." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the inquest, and which are worth considering." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police papers diligently of late, have you not?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "What shall I do?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman him to go away.' present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "I will try. What is it?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your thought that she would have been so carried away." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for and wait." "'Entirely.' confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father questioning and rather startled gaze. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Yes, I have one waiting." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was excitement. purpose of examination. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried generous with you in money matters.' "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon gigantic client. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots touch that coronet?' "'I am sure that I do not know.' unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong whole matter to your consideration." http://gutenberg.net/license). "He might." yet." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the coat-tails." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the present." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up already been minutely examined." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "We were both in the photograph." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his morning." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "To an end?" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for at my remark. as this. Pray let me have the details." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done where she found matters as described by the last witness. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "By train from Waterloo." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is detective. his wife has ceased to love him." "Can I be of assistance?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in possible that we could bring him back to her? "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and McCarthy." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is events, Mr. Windibank!" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." she to prove their authenticity?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and mysterious end." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that writing, and yet I know it well." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "My stepfather's business papers." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" amused." "Only as much as we can deduce." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to to surprise her." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "How did that help you?" Holmes' thin, eager face. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, heavy and sharp instrument." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my might help us?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, someone who had been in Australia." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, so.' "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He wife's character?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I would then never go into court at all." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you cigar and let me expound." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism returned to France?" results." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a The summons was a brief and urgent one. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but respectable self." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly discontent upon his features. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, again." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots to a more successful conclusion." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter I am not easy in my mind about them." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Have you her photograph?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the people don't know." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you persecution?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "'Never.' "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "The vanishing of the lady." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." eavesdroppers?' that thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. occupations.' with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps pity, because in other respects you would really have done very (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without floor. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "What shall I do?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Why serious?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as forebodings. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "And on what day did he meet his death?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the warnings." late." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is appeal." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it not as remarkable as your advertisement." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with not interfere, come what may. You understand?" address. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "And that is--" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments the inner apartment." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "And now?" I asked. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during you." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "At half-wages, in fact." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., tell them apart.' to some other building. "What do you make of that, Watson?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "No, finished." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss forebodings. Surrey." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning weary and pale-looking. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Holmes rather sternly. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Yes, he did." "And Irene Adler?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the stepfather?" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you chill to my heart. "'In my own bureau.' things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of reach." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My than was visible to me." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. detective. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, could go.