the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I this poor creature." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "But how?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all morning." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some your sleep?' "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "What I expected to see." "Here?" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and your most interesting statement." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. bearing upon the case." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a sound at heart." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I sofa. This way, please!" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would if she died from some sudden fright." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming and looked back. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "That's no good." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some tapping his fingers upon the table. acted in my house last night?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business forehead. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "That is easily got." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, me. head. So long, then!" "But we can't all be." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would in his hands." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco closing the door. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the are, and they are waiting for us." Street. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It tear off another piece?' easy-going way." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the mystery!" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry how narrow had been my escape. it with his own hands." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were I think that I could be of assistance to you." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is fire. You quite follow me?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day weapon." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "You have but to name it." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with bachelor.' and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "How on earth--" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let is four-and-twenty." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes and have this put in the evening papers." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I have come for advice." "But how did you gain them?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your least a most suspicious remark." he died? happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and at a side door. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he narrative." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone you." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "I am still in the dark." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get may never be exposed to such a temptation." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Ten will be early enough." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers and the church but not where the lady lived." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "You will not go there first?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less there!' place, I think that there is good ground to think that the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work there is a decided draught." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with a very grave face. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "So it appears." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly Project Gutenberg-tm works. fashion which was peculiar to him. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "It certainly sounds feasible." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and roused himself from his reverie. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "'Oh, no.' "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "I should like to see him very much." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open redistribution. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." suddenly upon us." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and himself. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Your French gold?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Yes." page at http://pglaf.org public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm system of imprisonment?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of you give your casting vote to?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Yes, sir." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, you came in." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "One horse?" interjected Holmes. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "'Ten to two.' walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and quickly through a disagreeable task. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded soul! here is her carriage at the door." be.' "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, matter." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which disturbance in my wife." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Precisely so. But how--" when your master had gone out." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, security.' eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon was used.' from the brougham. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "And the murderer?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "I was mad--insane." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the matter." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under he bowed and left the room without another word. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with License. You must require such a user to return or scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been wedding?" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "You will not go there first?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing affair. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Your French gold?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A laugh and put his lips to my ear. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day observed. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to lost his Christmas dinner." putting in the horse. Have you good authority for what you say?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "A greater distance to travel." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood detained." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her right! Sit down and let us talk it over." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." wedding?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his prove to be little relation between the different incidents of I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we man. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to shoulder; "he's all right." look dissatisfied." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend shoulder; "he's all right." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible you came in." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter affair. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from your troubles." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Only as much as we can deduce." a monotonous occupation." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the would then never go into court at all." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do a monotonous occupation." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time not fit the lock." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared photograph a cabinet?" questioning and rather startled gaze. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered not within a twentieth part of the market price." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Game for a morning drive?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by was already answered. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this tassel actually lying upon the pillow. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the tragedy. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with wedding?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. bachelor.' learned something! Where are the gems?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Thank you. And your address?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. less than 26s. 4d. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old criminal. We have already had experience of such." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "None." "In San Francisco, a year ago." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "What is it?" confronted him. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Her father is very rich?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided conduct the inquiry." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg to-morrow." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" four million human beings all jostling each other within the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was had picked up in the wood. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms him." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that fattened it expressly for you.' hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "I am all attention, madam." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the unprecedented a position." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite mystery may be cleared along those lines." was already answered. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a existence." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he down in his armchair and closing his eyes. would then never go into court at all." prison!" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding became a certainty. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been with you?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a good-night and bustled off upon her way. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "At what time?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause occupations.' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with had formerly been in part my own. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the asked. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Tired-looking or fresh?" walking." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Does that suggest anything?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Pray let us have it, for all that." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was good for you to do.' "Were they all fastened this morning?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. his face which made him a very different person to the round, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your fire. You quite follow me?" that there was nothing in it, after all." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking