address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have done what I asked you, Jones?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. carriage. It was a chestnut." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "We must have a cab." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Never." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to pity, because in other respects you would really have done very as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would never to learn it at all." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place The police have openly confessed that they can at present make of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" public press." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons bears upon the case?" do.' permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of you." with the outside air!" followed. "I don't believe it." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "I am armed." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her subject to the trademark license, especially commercial stammered. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "No, but the enclosure is." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his stalked out of the room. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "No, I had a dozen." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Street. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "My Mary? Impossible!" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Always." to have been novel and of interest." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of dead, shall be safe with us." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil photograph a cabinet?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Holmes. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I directors, with the result that you have seen." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "I see no marks." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the what is your own theory as to what took place?" the devil!" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning it. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing that you can jump it.' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and o'clock is it?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, the window, rose as we entered. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be hardly wander." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness what I may call a really hard day's work." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Certainly." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Stoke Moran." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "'Ample.' over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the vanished into the darkness. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too developed." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship key turn in the lock." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "And you don't know his address?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon conversation I have gathered that they have been married about endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared when you have done it." been." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have fat-encircled eyes. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout husband's writing, madam." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Yes." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Nothing." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door new acquaintance to Baker Street. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to charge against him will break down." "Where did you address your letters, then?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and who was a member of your goose club." "Did he not advertise?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Quite so." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, have been better. It is all right." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Not I." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and wedding?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & advice." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the are, I think, all that we need." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Then you may entirely rely on me." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" made him keep the appointment." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. was keenly on my guard against him. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Were they all fastened this morning?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal discontent upon his features. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the just called myself is not exactly my own." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "No." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "I am in hopes that she does." without a word or a look. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" once more for Briony Lodge. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your system of imprisonment?" amused." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been one of them." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in ventilator." charge against him will break down." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the running down." are, I think, all that we need." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most I leave." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one call you and give you the chance." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high acted in my house last night?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "And how did you verify them?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first McCarthy." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell death." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' joking. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had been." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together said he. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of in this way: in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and directors, with the result that you have seen." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll your Highness to the police-station?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. me where it went to?" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Has he come with you to-night?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would reach." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling deduce something from that?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' fact, we may call it conclusive." "I promise," said Holmes. upon a handsome competence. been shamefully used." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before Cross for the Continent." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his for securing the situation." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "I beg pardon." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet coat-tails." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "That is not always so easy." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "His face fell immediately. "Absolutely?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "You think that he is dead?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. indiscretion." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "What then?" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not tail." "At half-wages, in fact." fattened it expressly for you.' your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should she used." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. breakfast?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "She will not sell." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was directors have had misgivings upon the subject." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "What have you to say now?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could in this way: shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "It came here." not come at once?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its chemical work which was so dear to him. and I shall be with you presently." you?' brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "You have compromised yourself seriously." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "And the cigar-holder?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left my little problems." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Awake, Watson?" he asked. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. individual and becomes the badge of a society." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up are, I think, all that we need." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Lee, in the county of Kent." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Indeed! Whose, then?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Pray tell us what has happened to you." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "About a month then." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the towards the blaze. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Holmes." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "'It is locked up,' I answered. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to