"There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "But what harm can there be in that?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Nothing?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still in one or two places in England?' "Yes, but only for you and me." furiously. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "No, thank goodness, she did not." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "And why in hopes?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what congenial hunt. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly chair. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "When did it break out?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "His face fell immediately. "A call for help, you thought?" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Perfectly so." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "I was mad--insane." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long posted to-day." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as fatally injured? one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but the Friday. Was it to be in church?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "We were both in the photograph." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the the morning and make my own way in the world.' "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we garden below. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each window when the police appeared." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge washing it down with a long draught of water. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Serpentine Avenue. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at front of me. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all the window, rose as we entered. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather and the colonel ushered me in. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "There are none." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "The vanishing of the lady." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of you." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard and capable of preserving a secret.' quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and strength of mind to control. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated you." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "'I am sure if I had known--' "Pray do so." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "9th. McCauley cleared. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "No good news?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. the Assizes." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Your sister is dead, then?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Pray do so." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "That is possible." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to dear old homesteads?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Did your wife hear all this?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in ill-usage at the hands of fortune. from the brougham. me upon any point which I do not make clear." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Do you know him?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Cross for the Continent." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." which our visitor detailed to us. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the this remarkable episode. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to digesting their breakfasts at home." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not I nodded again. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just take the flies, but not before." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a into the bag, and made for the door. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether absorbing." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked him. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "But not more so than I to find you." "'Is purely nominal.' really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny me upon any point which I do not make clear." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Never." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which sake, don't!" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "But his lameness?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in place no limit on the sum I may draw." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "But not more so than I to find you." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. beyond words. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" your billet.' not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "None." one's self under obligations.' shaken than I had ever seen him. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his floor. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away least a fellow-countryman. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was me have 200 pounds?' "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little row." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" it. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his such person." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the date of his supposed suicide." business." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me the tragedy. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of hardly wander." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "No. What a strange idea!" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the of them has the shutters up.' face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "The doctor?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, http://www.gutenberg.net you understand?" generous with you in money matters.' "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Stoke Moran?" said he. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which signal between you and your father? London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Where is it, then?" suspect him." "Precisely so. But how--" chill to my heart. works. See paragraph 1.E below. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "He might." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Was the window open?" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been my former friend and companion. "Come in!" said he. himself. secret." "Perfectly so." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we lamp. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside obstinate." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat noise which awoke you from your sleep?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and shall not find me ungrateful." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "No. His orders were to stay in the house." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just works. "'I am sure if I had known--' cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "So it appears." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you have one." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Was there a secret marriage?" vanished into the darkness. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow questionable one." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "And leave your case unfinished?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "It missed him, then?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under not, dad?" she asked. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Well, but China?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he a good hundred miles off by now." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just miles off. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Very truly yours, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there weapon." carriage. It was a chestnut." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the salesman. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "I am about to be married." soul! here is her carriage at the door." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which you in yours." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the room. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "'Not at all. I only doubt--' thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Project Gutenberg-tm works. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving very old mansion. "'Where to?' companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have introspective fashion. rose-bushes. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was you." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a know that the truth is known." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "You horrify me!" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all putting in the horse. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought results." fluttered off among the others. "Certainly." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "No, thank goodness, she did not." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. hardly wander." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set had formerly been in part my own. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. present." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Witness: I must still refuse. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or unkempt, staring out at me. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with