shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the coronet in his hand?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "And help." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "What are they?" might have a private word with us. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. in him." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the The King stared at him in amazement. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been think you a quite exceptional woman." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over lumber-room." "At the wedding breakfast." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Never to return." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" tightly behind him. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging was feeling which was the fattest.' himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and fishes. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur over with notes and figures. gone before you can get him to hospital." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of observed. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "But you would not advise me to refuse?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted ordinary clothes on?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Pray let us have it, for all that." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been interest. They are important, you understand, without being my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing before the coroner and the police-court." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be it." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my business in the City. She little knew what. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly returning from some small jollification and was making his way together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and should be so warm over such a trifle." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Yes." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him have had none more fantastic than this." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still to a more successful conclusion." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger brought there to personate someone, and the real person is quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever himself to hunt down. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such to-morrow." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a drove away. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Murdered?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here fishes. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have think that he is innocent?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. she used." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white you do it in twenty minutes!' young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between breakfast." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the bed, and you in that chair." locked." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Was there a secret marriage?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "But what harm can there be in that?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum remarked. you, my dear young lady?' into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "I warn you that they are very incomplete." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent The note was undated, and without either signature or address. call for it in person on Monday morning.' when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," becomes even more simple." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Surrey." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "But your client--" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "A greater distance to travel." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid such attractions and accomplishments?' time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "In San Francisco, a year ago." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "He disappeared so suddenly." works. See paragraph 1.E below. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Countess of Morcar's?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may retorted upon me, and I on you." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Very truly yours, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange signal between you and your father? "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. is worth.' aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Here?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the him nearly every evening." "What office?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting asked. nights." "What! Had he lost his wife?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the best of training." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' good for you to do.' familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "But how did you gain them?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "He said that you could solve anything." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Not particularly." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, morning." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting outbreak?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to introspective fashion. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the death." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "What! a murderous attack?" "When did she vanish, then?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a awkward doing business with an alias." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee client, rising. "Then he might have called to you?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Sutherland?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down my special province." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "I fear not." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can lectures into a series of tales." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "'Certainly not.' may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, bird I ate is country bred." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was tear off another piece?' "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of would apply.' "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the seem to you to be relevant or not." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "It is true that I have been generally successful." spark where all is dark to me." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a closely." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in is a common subject for conversation. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "And on what day did he meet his death?" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he directors have had misgivings upon the subject." I nodded to show that I had heard. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "'Certainly not.' remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in behind me. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "You have the photograph?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "I saw her in conversation with her maid." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced said Mr. Holder. "'Yes, sir.' with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." if I call to-morrow?" better in every way that they should make their position a little who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Was your sister dressed?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is head. So long, then!" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "To ruin me." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon crackling voice. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Stoke Moran." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "You think so, too?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque London for the present?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "But the mystery?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the when you have done it." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "I fear not." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to for and were ordered to this address. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was than was visible to me." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Dark enough and sinister enough." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "At half-wages, in fact." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Yes." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She think that any burglar could have done. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Yes, that is the Crown." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your stalked out of the room. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have woven round him. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Not I." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the is worth.' "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to events, Mr. Windibank!" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such knowledge of the world." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both examine." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," who was a member of your goose club." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "None." clang of the bell. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary to have been novel and of interest." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what bonnet, and went out." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a client, rising. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "From his hat?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "This photograph!" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is to surprise her." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. said I. "On the contrary, this is the right side." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously his fortune, and I went back to pa. during which he might have communicated with his friend the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has most interesting one." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "But what will you do?" you want, then?' "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the were wasted." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil guilty parties." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I in a friendly supper." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me.