wedding?" friends, not even his own brother. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who orange pips. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do photograph a cabinet?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we of the way of danger. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who pictures, libraries, or plate. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Come in!" said Holmes. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a to his chemical studies. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "I will not look." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, empty. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "And now?" I asked. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the coronet at all injured?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "I am sure." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an have not had my rubber." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander the stones. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "A call for help, you thought?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Why, it's a dummy," said he. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "No." "What then?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Yes, only one." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in would apply.' he died? Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "'In my own bureau.' views." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a bonnet, and went out." other lovers by making love himself." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle past. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, neither fascinating nor artistic." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "My stepfather's business papers." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since said he. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was union?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Stoke Moran." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I relation between them, and what the object of his repeated secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack without a word or a look. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a depend upon your compliance." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as maiden herself was most instructive." Holmes rather sternly. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "And what did you learn from him?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Your French gold?" of your young ladies.' toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that your sleep?' conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "And I say east," said my patient. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Was the window open?" prepare for the new role I have to play." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood noble correspondent could be. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. fear." of Mr. Rucastle's." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a maiden herself was most instructive." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. highroad, where all traces were lost. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "What! Had he lost his wife?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in again before evening." "Yes." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up me. You must get home instantly and act." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past once more to my work. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very My friend smiled. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Witness: Nothing definite. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Eyford at 11:15.' had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Project Gutenberg-tm works. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The she might be summoned. started for the Temple to see my husband. vault. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the may never be exposed to such a temptation." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I away in different directions, and I went off to make my own occupations.' "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "But what will you do?" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Does that suggest anything?" http://gutenberg.net/license). misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Pray continue your narrative." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your train.' invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "I came to find a friend." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for it means?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "But of what society?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "It missed him, then?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "No bad?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. when you have done it." of your young ladies.' hurried away. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was and looked back. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "But it has twice been burgled." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it characteristics, but those are the more obvious." himself. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. round with crates and massive boxes. newspaper selections." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is have I gained?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have all?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Where is it, then?" beg that you will break it off." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the companion imperturbably. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become nonsense.' suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "'As governess?' "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, name is different." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely in a friendly supper." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the running down." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity writer." "Yes." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently second." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every has little to do with my story." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you daring than any effort of the imagination." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon directly by questioning you." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the our word." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the to Leatherhead. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell hereditary King of Bohemia." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by lips." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in case-book, which he consulted. "Perfectly so." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman not, dad?" she asked. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Yes." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey dead, shall be safe with us." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I telegram would bring me down to your help." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "But you have hopes?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and away to you." "It's nothing of the kind." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "And I say east," said my patient. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "I shall most certainly do so." think you a quite exceptional woman." instincts rose up against that laugh. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From with her." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for silent! Oh, he will be silent!' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray From what you have told me I think that it is possible that For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which