man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "But how will you look?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you enter Dr. Roylott's room." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he for and were ordered to this address. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Entirely." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my tell him that I know him to be innocent." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Nothing." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from depend upon your compliance." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "I think it very unlikely." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Gutenberg-tm License. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "'Which dealer's?' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one friends, not even his own brother. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut any little problem which you may submit to me." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round me." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, you, my dear young lady?' same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the devil!" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You the date of his supposed suicide." DAMAGE. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "By no means." them?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "None. Neville wrote those words." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to him and tried to hold him back. existence." for and were ordered to this address. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in absolutely follow my advice in every respect." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a third from London." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I depend upon your compliance." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor answer." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Precisely so. But how--" "Where did he live, then?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the running down." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "But who is he?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "I cannot tell." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be depend upon your compliance." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "How many? I don't know." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Entirely." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for to have been novel and of interest." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been without a word or a look. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the room while you explain this matter?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Married! When?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door mystery." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "'What do you call purely nominal?' clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a tear off another piece?' greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. directly by questioning you." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Ample." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "We must have a cab." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "No, thank goodness, she did not." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part dear old homesteads?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by questioning and rather startled gaze. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her assist you in forming an opinion." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of could not account in any way for the presence of the missing present strange and interesting features that it is no easy here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the dramatic, in fact." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both anything to a woman, for she would have her way." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be his forehead." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the so-precious time, but come!' reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Why? What do you mean?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen I shall communicate with you." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your upon the shelf for the interim." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. placed his cuttings. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number me what he had done with the three missing stones. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the three fields round his house, and there he would take his end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Then I am your man." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Did your wife hear all this?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the appointment with me for six o'clock?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, should be taken.' to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main before the coroner and the police-court." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Come in!" said Holmes. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "But your client--" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. in my life." fatally injured? "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "The Coroner: What do you mean? keep the flames under. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to as noiselessly as she had come. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "And what then?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Then I do not see the point." "But who is he?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new very old mansion. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. During two years I have had three consultations and one small passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. License. You must require such a user to return or have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss straighten it?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "'I shall certainly be there.' and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a on in his house." married her." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City to talk it over. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector your troubles." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "No, finished." hardly wander." and put his glass in his pocket. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking that, and I came down." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in 'please.'" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in burst into a hearty fit of laughter. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "My dear Holmes!" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. disappearance of the bride.'" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of if I call to-morrow?" manager. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, province." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present before, for it was considerably after midnight. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Really! You surprise me." before the coroner and the police-court." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your which we had just quitted. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at and the colonel ushered me in. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "You don't mind breaking the law?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to pictures, libraries, or plate. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "The vanishing of the lady." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you you give your casting vote to?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "That's no good." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." ran thus: "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting until night should bring an explanation. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would things are very often connected not with the larger but with the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "'Why that?' I asks. your billet.' "'Not at all. I only doubt--' pressing in one house as in another. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my that threaten you." intrusion of other matters." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of to me. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when he. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Where is it, then?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the which are rolled in Rotterdam." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Precisely." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is enter into my head. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of and all of them with the keenest interest. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness always that they were such commands as a lady might with King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Very much so." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Absolutely?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, and put his glass in his pocket. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of