diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. strode off upon his way. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a sneer upon his pale face. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly into the bag, and made for the door. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other in your London, you will know that the office of the company is in this way: "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Why, it's a dummy," said he. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three before the coroner and the police-court." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the Red-headed League." way in." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, it right.' Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near hardly wander." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of I nodded to show that I had heard. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Bought." will take you up to see the machine.' "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Then I shall certainly come." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed charged with?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "No more words. Get out!" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who *** START: FULL LICENSE *** simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and what is your own theory as to what took place?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "But of what society?" "'Stolen!' he cried. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, that you can jump it.' "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to will he say when he returns?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she such attractions and accomplishments?' quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "'And what salary do you ask?' manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in call for protection in the marriage market, for the present request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing away into the river." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to derbies." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder foresight and the moral retrogression?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly few hundred pounds.' can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all charged with?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom how narrow had been my escape. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a business?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now matters immensely." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took your own bird, so if you wish--" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the fashion which was peculiar to him. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a situation." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the not fit the lock." "The vanishing of the lady." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine purpose equally well?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong not interfere, come what may. You understand?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their plantation.' "Nor running a chance of arrest?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the from the brougham. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple knowledge of the world." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is perplexity from it to my illustrious client. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience this Miss Turner." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate your billet.' the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the window, rose as we entered. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with be.' I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "'It is locked up,' I answered. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' province." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and their singular warning or token before them when starting upon head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was touch that coronet?' upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes astonishment. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little appointment with me for six o'clock?" questionable one." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "This concluded the examination of the witness." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "It is very kind of you." true." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with one of them." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the morning and make my own way in the world.' had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs exactly what you advise." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Why, what do you mean?" "Who by?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his bed dies. Does not that strike you?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he was a perfect sample of the class. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are strength in the others." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest true." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I article?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. promised to bring home. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Stoke Moran." photograph?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate giving me time to thank him. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek second." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, was used.' interested in these little problems, and since you are good intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in matter." to that open window." "He is dead," cried several voices. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, the matter." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "One of the highest in England." better grown goose." himself. again, where I was soon asleep. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed stepfather?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or bears upon the case?" the matter?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but in a very precise fashion." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he prepare for the new role I have to play." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium conceal it?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five eavesdroppers?' than to us. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he triumphant cloud from his cigarette. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the London for the present?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to are, I think, all that we need." during which he might have communicated with his friend the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "'A dozen yards or so.' Sholtos." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief swore that no one else had been in the front room during the happened." security.' "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine point our research must commence, and we will begin it by the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "I assure you that I am in your hands." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his companion. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Have you good authority for what you say?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips as noiselessly as she had come. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Yes, only one." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Bought." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in formed some opinion?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of keep the flames under. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small License. You must require such a user to return or learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his that he has suffered." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear look dissatisfied." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, was a lad." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "What are they?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect address. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' questionable one." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. learned something! Where are the gems?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. held up the lantern and gazed about him. "But I have heard all that you have heard." breakfast." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Pray do so." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had fait accompli?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "An enemy?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "By train from Waterloo." "Perhaps we may make them less so." to have been novel and of interest." time." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. like that before?" Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "She will not sell." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Yes." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." any more." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door shall use the carriage to-night." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual