down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a daring than any effort of the imagination." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "It's nothing of the kind." "Stolen, then." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Certainly." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect did not hear it also.' been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Watson," he said cordially. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's situation." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, off." to change my dress. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light sound at heart." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Leadenhall Street--and--" less than 26s. 4d. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down will find little credit to be gained out of this case." was a lad." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria system of imprisonment?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "I think that I had better go, Holmes." six. Come in!" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "But how?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a particular state visit http://pglaf.org any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. is," said he presently: in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case companion quietly. cost them two and thirty pounds." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "From his hat?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned floor. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Dr. Becher's." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll and I shall be with you presently." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual who was a member of your goose club." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "What, then?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" disturbance in my wife." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if his wife has ceased to love him." "He said too much." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' do." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be was shining brightly. what these perils are?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the main points of my analysis." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his entirely lost his self-respect." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had interested in these little problems, and since you are good "That is easily got." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. certainly do as you advise." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "It certainly sounds feasible." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred into the room. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "What! You do not mean bodies?" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "It goes to the housekeeper's room." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having tail." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a noise which awoke you from your sleep?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "How about poison?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve have had none more fantastic than this." "No, I think that I'll take it." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "On your arm?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "'Never.' takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "'Quite sure, dad.' "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Precisely." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in respectable self." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "What have you to say now?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may death." annoyance, but no jest. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' shall not find me ungrateful." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Never." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest is four-and-twenty." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when been lifted and conveyed somewhere." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate must be when I saw the door open.' and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "And how have you succeeded?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, opened the door, and slipped through. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of James Windibank. Voilà tout!" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall once more to my work. "We have tried and failed." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he that he will be back before evening." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "You know me, then?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which hurried away. "I would pay ten." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce been anything against him. He had for years been known as a circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a is entirely a question of barometric pressure." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the of Fenchurch Street." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. I was concerned in it." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank chance." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss present." his grey eyes. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "And from a noble client?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such true." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us weapon." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my room. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and be. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "But his lameness?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I come either from the window or the door. My attention was leaning back in his chair. "When did it break out?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Then how many are there?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "So I am. Very much so." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the outside. comes from the middle window." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought made his money." never to learn it at all." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. ordinary clothes on?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "And who is her maid?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, her also." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "It is his hat." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the running down." status with the IRS. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the helping a boy to put up the shutters. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best fattened it expressly for you.' "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Stolen, then." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "I shall most certainly do so." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "How long did she speak to this Alice?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "And help." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "I should like to see him very much." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this village inn over there?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Did he not advertise?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune British peeress.'" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a I approached. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and gone. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and heavy and sharp instrument." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Come in!" said Holmes. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Deserted you?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, three of the beryls in it, was missing. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "She walked into the breakfast-room." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "'Most admirably.' hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and case-book, which he consulted. suspect him." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "My dear Holmes!" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There your only hope of safety." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed child?' "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few walking." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." father's place of business?" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and affection." shall use the carriage to-night." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an strange features which were associated with the two crimes which ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Then, how do you know?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies waste of energy." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the one as in the other." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's could gather together that I was able to avert another public here and I will read it to you: "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I