they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the night.' said he. next day. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you from the brougham. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." go--none." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive in the port of London." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with bedroom door." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "It's nothing of the kind." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the detained." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Two days later this same performance was gone through under several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 fire. You quite follow me?" in darkness. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Yes." me have 200 pounds?' "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and prisoner's face. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable father's young wife. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the conduct the inquiry." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Yes." security.' He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'Yes, sir.' the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six wedding?" for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "No, finished." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the very letters. But what is this written above them?' waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "It is possible." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew someone who had been in Australia." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the fuss that is made over them." look dissatisfied." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "But she could not love him." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" and I shall be with you presently." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "I guessed as much." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential drawing your inferences." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "No, finished." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, I. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the said I. "What will you say?" "That also I could fathom." maid will bring up your coffee." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." But Holmes shook his head gravely. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "'Most admirably.' 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches room had already been engaged for us. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously people in all walks of life. when your master had gone out." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly placed his cuttings. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in cost them two and thirty pounds." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his spare." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf very old mansion. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's opportunities to fix the problem. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Come in!" said Holmes. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon signal between you and your father? to arrive at through this?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" of the one which your family is now devouring." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "We must have a cab." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in is a common subject for conversation. we went to search for him, face downward in a little knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "How about poison?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am and have this put in the evening papers." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "To an end?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in undoubtedly my uncle's." "He slept on the premises." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure helping a boy to put up the shutters. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan which it had come upon my father." "What can you not understand?" on in his house." seven miles from Eyford Station.' heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled so far?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Then, how do you know?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear better grown goose." your billet.' "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Yes, there are nearly always some there." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "'Then let me do so?' "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. in one or two places in England?' the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, The summons was a brief and urgent one. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "What I expected to see." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his papers must be those that are destroyed.' the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very jewels which you have stolen?' the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Get out!" said he. electronic works think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any were wasted." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "I fear not." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Why, what do you mean?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again said I. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which definite end. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I examination of the premises, but without finding anything which horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "My stepfather's business papers." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of kind enough to tell me what I should do." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms generous with you in money matters.' of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Pool. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large quickly through a disagreeable task. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never works. See paragraph 1.E below. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all you." The King stared at him in amazement. "What are they?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. went to the Alpha were town bred." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly God! What an exposure! What can I do?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm a very grave face. the coroner come to?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Get out!" said he. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "I should like to see him very much." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by things are very often connected not with the larger but with the just ask you whether you had heard it.' one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Ah!" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "I see no marks." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where she slowly sank and died without having recovered her little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a few hundred pounds.' without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg of them has the shutters up.' same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "My dear Holmes!" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. bonnet, and went out." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "'Is purely nominal.' snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "My dear Holmes!" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether speckled band?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the one as in the other." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Perhaps we may make them less so." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "You know me, then?" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of country, and eventually married, without anyone having a it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "I see many objections to any such theory." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "They are typewritten," I remarked. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have certainly not very gracious." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Only as much as we can deduce." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "But not more so than I to find you." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in indiscretion." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Seven!" I answered. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the coat-tails." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole But Holmes shook his head gravely. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab during that time.' say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would point our research must commence, and we will begin it by my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Watson," he said cordially. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be what do you think they found in the pockets?" that you wished to speak to me?' Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible impression behind it as though a window had gently closed once more to my work. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. new duties?' of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just have had none more fantastic than this." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "That is unusual in a young girl." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I His name is Francis Prosper." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it