opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "'And the work?' hands. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that footfalls from the street. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made bill, which interests me deeply." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the writing, and yet I know it well." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt the devil!" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Pray tell us what has happened to you." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" she used." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." vanished into the darkness. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, of Mr. Rucastle's." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it read it out to me." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm would apply.' "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the in this note: the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is of receipt of the work. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in IS "I cannot imagine." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Chief Executive and Director We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it them present such singular features as the strange train of "'It is locked up,' I answered. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove again." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "I saw her in conversation with her maid." detained." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, sufficient punishment." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "How did you trace it, then?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan all that?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I clanging. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the child." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "A client, then?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange against a man in the prime of life?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of deduce something from that?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable for its centre. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried possible that we could bring him back to her? British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Leave Paddington by the 11:15." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks made him keep the appointment." away into the river." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon room had already been engaged for us. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "I never have." look dissatisfied." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a at a side door. bell. Holmes whistled. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. as he remarks, very much against the son." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow relief. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "How did you deduce the select?" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend said I. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I to Leatherhead. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I friend's singular character. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before of it with the greatest attention. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Because he was handy and would come cheap." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Ha! you find it so?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's chill to my heart. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who I leave." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "I will, Miss Turner." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "None." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "How are you getting on?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "He is still with you, I presume?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! appeal." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of becomes even more simple." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I most important business. It is probable that he will be away all myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him events, Mr. Windibank!" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. DISSOLVED. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "I will try. What is it?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid I shall continue with my miserable story. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "And I say east," said my patient. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Yes." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would just ask you whether you had heard it.' I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "What, then, did Peterson do?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of see a sister of mine apply for." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the tail." questionable one." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Yes." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a pierced for earrings?" hereditary King of Bohemia." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "But your client--" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Then he might have called to you?" "Yes." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Was she in good spirits?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was you found me to-night--and running through the front room she that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Surrey." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he chair. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't correct than the official force." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad noting anything else of interest. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Yes, all." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "I will, Miss Turner." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "No." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Precisely." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot giving me time to thank him. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant not within a twentieth part of the market price." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed dramatic, in fact." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be them?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Why? What do you mean?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "ARAT," I read. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his his fortune, and I went back to pa. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the inner apartment." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the becomes even more simple." would apply.' "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project him to go away.' test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a unkempt, staring out at me. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall young Openshaw's." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine it. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks in the port of London." had died away into the silence from which it rose. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should been lifted and conveyed somewhere." into the room. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "And leave your case unfinished?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Never." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the his wife has ceased to love him." me." "Then how many are there?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "I beg pardon." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "The vanishing of the lady." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not that I may have something better before very many minutes are Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the general public were present, then?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it on re-entering her father's house?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One way in everything. "Your French gold?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "'I am sure if I had known--' I approached. chair. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took posted to-day." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Absolutely?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Again Holmes raved in the air. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "What can it mean?" I gasped. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin who was a member of your goose club." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "How can you tell that?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Then you may entirely rely on me." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from as this. Pray let me have the details." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the cigar and let me expound." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Then, how do you know?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the