cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." arrangements." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, later, upon the night of May 2nd." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm that, and I came down." detective. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the and inquire as to the address." chair. "And how did you verify them?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug we went to search for him, face downward in a little 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that page at http://pglaf.org "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "'In my own bureau.' of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Then you may entirely rely on me." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small opened a pocket-book and took out a note. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "What! Had he lost his wife?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Very murderous indeed." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little hand, madam?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Get out!" said he. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "That's no good." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to and wait." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view hardly wander." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "'Where to?' wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the I leave." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. III. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he feature." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely me where it went to?" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I said I. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away happened." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. constraint." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Not in the least." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "I will get her to show me." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "In San Francisco, a year ago." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Yes, from Horsham." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "No sign of it?" "The knees of his trousers." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a some place of shelter and let the county police know what has great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the if only as a check to my own memory." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Ten will be early enough." "No, but the enclosure is." stalked out of the room. and the colonel ushered me in. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. clang of the bell. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This suspect him." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the cause to be." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. advice." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker have one." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "'Never.' "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. done what I asked you, Jones?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew carriage. It was a chestnut." name is different." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me union?" ago." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir which was all perfectly true. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as not interfere, come what may. You understand?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been side. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I shall be delighted." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror not as remarkable as your advertisement." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Dr. Gregory B. Newby "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Pope's Court. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third eat it." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "It was an hour's good drive." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't had this final quarrel? were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have main points of my analysis." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "What?" "There are none." respectable self." your Highness to the police-station?" "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and wedding?" McCarthy's innocence. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect know what is wrong with it.' it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But visitors." "No good news?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. quick march!" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat do you make of it all?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered me." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "But you have hopes?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, wedding?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would interests were the same as his." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." row." "One of his hands." and the church but not where the lady lived." "I will do it." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it burst into a hearty fit of laughter. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. have one." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. to talk it over. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and good-night and bustled off upon her way. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a think you a quite exceptional woman." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. did not hear it also.' "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your child?' feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low dear old homesteads?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and up this clue while it is still hot." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Breckinridge is his name." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "You know me, then?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "You think that he is dead?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised brain must have something in it." it with his own hands." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." woman." of them has the shutters up.' she to prove their authenticity?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "I see no marks." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." in his power. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a unkempt, staring out at me. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we have accepted such a situation. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Yes, I have one waiting." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, to-night's adventure." gentleman's clothes. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" becomes even more simple." them present such singular features as the strange train of matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are crime." "Then the page we have seen--" thin legs towards the fire. some water from a caraffe. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of waste of energy." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Not him." again." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all without success. At last the little money which I had saved began knowledge of the world." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against waste of energy." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Eyford." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last IS "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Was the window open?" one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "I am still in the dark." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, rose-bushes. "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have himself to hunt down. these bleak autumnal evenings." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's opened the door, and slipped through. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Countess of Morcar's?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady works. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the you." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great go from here to the Strand." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his father's young wife. father's place of business?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted me upon any point which I do not make clear." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at horse could go." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Can I be of assistance?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "I cannot tell." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was business." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully that the gas is not laid on in his house?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is eat it." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. presume?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped what these perils are?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very that he will be back before evening." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five without a word or a look. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, matters immensely." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "My dear Holmes!" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are held up the lantern and gazed about him. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Did you become engaged then?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "It looks newer than the other things?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be with frightened eyes at his accuser. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous window when the police appeared."