"He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which rose-bushes. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something was feeling which was the fattest.' unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an The King stared at him in amazement. cause to be." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling will be renamed. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the that he will be back before evening." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Your sister is dead, then?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the always that they were such commands as a lady might with loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To the south-west, I see." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Street. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "'Certainly,' I answered. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address upon a handsome competence. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "How often?" foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "No sign of it?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "'Never.' the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a child?' which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Dirty?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box acquaintance?" that you wished to speak to me?' go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Witness: Nothing definite. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "I cannot think." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be bearing upon the case." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and morning." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "And for present expenses?" "I am following you closely," I answered. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this It was close upon four before the door opened, and a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is very morning of my second wedding." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with envelope. suspect him." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "She will not sell." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his and have this put in the evening papers." "And I." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose of this gang." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or to some other building. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his very morning of my second wedding." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out nonsense.' crowd. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. upon the shelf for the interim." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." father's young wife. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "It looks newer than the other things?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be photograph?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "That sounds a little paradoxical." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." hard-headed British jury." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" and I shall be with you presently." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's I shall continue with my miserable story. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "'No, I know no one in these parts.' of campaign. "Did he not advertise?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Was there a secret marriage?" his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as row." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "But his left-handedness." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Holmes. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away mystery." correct than the official force." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's envelope. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What completely overtopped every other consideration that we both here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from roused himself from his reverie. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few must compliment you." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "'You cannot say what it was?' little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small flock.' Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Could he throw no light?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of him!" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Whose house is it?" "In answer to an advertisement." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it detective. when you have done it." chance at all." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled points to suicide?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking his huge brown hands. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "What will you say?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is strength in the others." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is there when the Rucastles went away." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project returning from some small jollification and was making his way way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "By no means." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The mystery." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to respectable self." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son bachelor.' arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She my room." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." all?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the station." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when bore every mark of being an average commonplace British slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the way: 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to of." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases in darkness. "Thank you. Pray proceed." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit power." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. child?' "And I say east," said my patient. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Precisely so. But how--" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "What then?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, little adventures." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, cost them two and thirty pounds." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the iron safe, which he closed upon it. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. II. writing, and yet I know it well." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the south-west, I see." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "My last client of the sort was a king." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "'Certainly not. But why?' who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "How on earth--" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural You can understand that this register and diary may implicate at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw emerged. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of pierced for earrings?" derbies." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little without a word or a look. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this overpowering excitement and concern. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "By no means." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of goes." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do McCarthy's innocence. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, train.' or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "The doctor?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "To ruin me." "10th. John Swain cleared. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the I nodded again. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "ARAT," I read. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate with you alone." is four-and-twenty." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he me. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, fled together." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William vanished into the darkness. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. persecution?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Yes." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "But what will you do?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." upon the white wrist. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any coat-tails." "Dr. Becher's." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "One?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so breakfast." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away your equipment. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "'A dozen yards or so.' it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We you?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our to miss it." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' experiences." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax you want, then?' trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "I cannot think." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Leadenhall Street--and--" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Yes." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "What! Had he lost his wife?" round with crates and massive boxes. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the His name is Francis Prosper." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while