all?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That horse could go." it means?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" wedding?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed me." made his money." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a stood on the top of it. "I say that I have solved it." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. have been better. It is all right." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Indeed! Whose, then?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "'A dozen yards or so.' "Yes, but only for you and me." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white went to the Alpha were town bred." "You will not go there first?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "But how?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "You are certainly joking, Holmes." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking colour had been driven from his face. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry eat it." least a most suspicious remark." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "No legal papers or certificates?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." gone. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you had no one to advise her at such a crisis." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother meanly of me." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "That also I could fathom." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Precisely." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "And that is--" "That is unusual in a young girl." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being You want to know what became of those geese?" to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and ventilator." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I do.' course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. few hundred pounds.' of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Not social, then?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, putting in the horse. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. and the colonel ushered me in. Sutherland?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke him, that man would not have given me such complete information either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the address that was given us in the advertisement. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass hard-headed British jury." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the plantation.' back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in man. his cane at the bell-pull. "And I." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening crackling voice. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "And now?" He raised his hand. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." had died away into the silence from which it rose. do you make of it all?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers said Mr. Holder. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "It is a murder, then?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "None." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "My own seal." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all with her." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This recover the gem." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which putting in the horse. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our to a more successful conclusion." interested in these little problems, and since you are good work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. security.' "How long did she speak to this Alice?" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. it." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." a good hundred miles off by now." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it made him keep the appointment." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "In the cells." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to corner of the building. goes." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the coronet in his hands?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when I nodded again. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the these bleak autumnal evenings." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had written. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what six. Come in!" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "'As governess?' "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "But his left-handedness." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "By train from Waterloo." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, did not hear it also.' to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden answer." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "You forget that I know nothing about it." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to became a certainty. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "What! You do not mean bodies?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for interest. They are important, you understand, without being "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have with you?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such she to prove their authenticity?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "What is it, then--a fire?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and hair?' feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "'About the same.' case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "To ruin me." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, guilty parties." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea *** START: FULL LICENSE *** slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see and I shall be with you presently." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was was a perfect sample of the class. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, his face. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Never." good-night and bustled off upon her way. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "But what is it you wish?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to friend's singular character. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he daring than any effort of the imagination." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask woman." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning some city in a dream. security.' and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. helping a boy to put up the shutters. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of my special province." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "You have compromised yourself seriously." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'Never,' said I. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Of what?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into careless servant girl?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Certainly." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." affection." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Was your sister dressed?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "What then?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER better in every way that they should make their position a little very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I should wish to." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was together. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, despair." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and new acquaintance to Baker Street. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side that part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand sound at heart." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness excitement. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." visitors." fire. You quite follow me?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual sentimental considerations in the background which would induce I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Why, it's a dummy," said he. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you felt?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, showing my impatience. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could considering the formidable letters which were received by himself coat-tails." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "I do." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." have not had my rubber." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Yes." "Always." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk The King stared at him in amazement. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "That is unusual in a young girl." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it introspective fashion. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "'What do you call purely nominal?' served to weaken the effect. "Was she in good spirits?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot strength of mind to control. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Imitated." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had quite distinctive." the room while you explain this matter?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Yes." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Yes, he did." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, gentleman's clothes. "Thank you. Pray proceed." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off be best to do. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of or other trace. But how on earth--" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I