rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, a suggestive one." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the general public were present, then?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." never will be, entirely cleared up. when you have done it." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Then he might have called to you?" gone. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort money should be paid at once.' much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most matter over." at my own good fortune. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of strode off upon his way. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was this unhappy family?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I forebodings. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Mrs. Toller serenely. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our in the dead of the night?' "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found furiously. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "And what did you learn from him?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, I approached. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere prove to be little relation between the different incidents of stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Yes, I have one waiting." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so and prosperity to your house. Good-night." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you your sleep?' "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the again." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Whose house is it?" legal crime." "When did she vanish, then?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' directors have had misgivings upon the subject." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Why did you pick him?" occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which whereabouts. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the warnings." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. plantation.' "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Tired-looking or fresh?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "It is to him that this trophy belongs." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from present strange and interesting features that it is no easy fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at newspaper selections." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Perfectly so." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "And how did you find out?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as to tell." astonishment. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and formed some opinion?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "I will do it." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "My Mary? Impossible!" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I pound a week." "A client, then?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads father's young wife. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and again." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. had picked up in the wood. "Nothing." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." fatally injured? absolutely follow my advice in every respect." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his father's place of business?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "You don't mind breaking the law?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past shoulder; "he's all right." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project such attractions and accomplishments?' already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I heavily into it. "Yes, sir." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "The Coroner: What do you mean? was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold lost nothing by them." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Mrs. Toller serenely. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. fatally injured? firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "'As governess?' you." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? despaired of." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no disappearance of the bride.'" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best his wife has ceased to love him." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to chamber." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "And your mother is alive?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that do you make of it all?" maid will bring up your coffee." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some drawing your inferences." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "What shall I do?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it was a perfect sample of the class. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. nights." "'Yes, it was gone.' it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, is a common subject for conversation. it were putty." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of past. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave lectures into a series of tales." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Then I shall certainly come." "'About the same.' "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees lost his Christmas dinner." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which overpowering excitement and concern. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I client, rising. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really despair." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "What will you do, then?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "But how?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change orange pips. "It is true that I have been generally successful." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said companion. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed and glanced through. hopeless attempt at recovering them." 11:15.' from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or lectures into a series of tales." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote outbreak?" "Nearly eleven." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "I cannot say that I have." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all bearing upon the case." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle as noiselessly as she had come. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind events than those which have happened in my own family." lamp in his hand. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought bonnet, and went out." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does bonnet, and went out." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. make me his representative both with the servants and with the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the you in yours." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Then how many are there?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian once more on the important position which you have been fortunate arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred article?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, case-book, which he consulted. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but said he. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Yes, at the mines." walking." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, his wife has ceased to love him." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "At the wedding breakfast." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid round with crates and massive boxes. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "No, finished." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I him. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the skylight. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a never will be, entirely cleared up. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Awake, Watson?" he asked. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "I beg pardon." taking in every detail of the apartment. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "'You cannot say what it was?' peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. wife's character?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this strode off upon his way. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, here and I will read it to you: glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and suggested at once that there must be a communication between the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'Where to?' balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Mary, has deserted me." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into in your London, you will know that the office of the company is greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. morning." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may point in the dark hollow of his hand. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included seem to you to be relevant or not." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the arrangements." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the