"Yes." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "It's nothing of the kind." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "And you thought he was pulled back?" future lives." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his leaning back in his chair. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch yet." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "At half-wages, in fact." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. see me here to avoid scandal." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "I say that I have solved it." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "You'll never persuade me to believe that." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern triumphant cloud from his cigarette. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Sutherland. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the indiscretion." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "He said that you could solve anything." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it read over the extraordinary announcement. answer." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. once more for Briony Lodge. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if you do it in twenty minutes!' husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "'I have heard so.' civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back detective. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the be.' lost nothing by them." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and tell me that you intended to go into harness." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "But you were on a friendly footing?" dear old homesteads?" have got?" the Red-headed League." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the arrested. You then--" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your father's young wife. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm in this way: high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, his cane at the bell-pull. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, pictures, libraries, or plate. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you be. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and go--none." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully case before our client came into the room." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Yes, there are nearly always some there." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were case before our client came into the room." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had once more. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Street. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "'Very good.' other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "I think that it is very probable." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your one else, I think." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the he bowed and left the room without another word. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "'Where to?' adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Here?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "And did you observe any change in her then?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I any." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he matters immensely." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home me where it went to?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for of fine shops and stately business premises that they really shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "It is to him that this trophy belongs." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such congratulate you again." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious speckled band?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "And you thought he was pulled back?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "What can you not understand?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the best of training." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I am in hopes that she does." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Young McCarthy must be got off, however." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking and it need not interfere very much with one's other is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, went to the Alpha were town bred." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of certainly do as you advise." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "But she will refuse." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless means taking possession of that which another person has a prior along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge without success. At last the little money which I had saved began equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "By train from Waterloo." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. a very grave face. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, your only hope of safety." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I populous neighbourhood." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my singular points about the case. What did the police think of the foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." past. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations beyond words. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and McCarthy's innocence. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Was there a secret marriage?" wall." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of most interesting one." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. place of silver." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something to take care of herself." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. redistribution. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "No." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always leaning back in his chair. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and obstinate." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? be sorry for having acted so harshly." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Yes." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur hand, madam?" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, if only as a check to my own memory." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing copied or distributed: down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "'Ample.' "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "I cannot imagine." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his closely." McCarthy's innocence. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of if I call to-morrow?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a this man was intellectual?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "An enemy?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass it. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you sooner or later she must fall a victim. in his hands." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands society." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Foundation and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the visitors." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." and have this put in the evening papers." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can and effective." "He is dead," cried several voices. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "It is true that I have been generally successful." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be bird of prey. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her in one or two places in England?' has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There man. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other brain must have something in it." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the chill to my heart. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, to his chemical studies. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of nothing of it?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the there has been an enclosure here!" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to sit on the left-hand side of the driver." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "He is still with you, I presume?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in use an arc-and-compass breastpin." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its again on its way. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little depend upon your compliance." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Yes." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads