attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut that, and I came down." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" photograph?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "And now?" I asked. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is she used." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "I am to be neutral?" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the and glanced through. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, thought that she would have been so carried away." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the evidence," I remarked. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the again, where I was soon asleep. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Look there!" said he. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Witness: I must still refuse. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, me what he had done with the three missing stones. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Dirty?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little danger is over." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one nothing with him." Dr. Gregory B. Newby from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should which our visitor detailed to us. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Well?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the in a very precise fashion." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Have you her photograph?" posted to-day." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, voice. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the the dangers which encompass me." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the so far?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as golden eyeglasses. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a go back?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself subject to the trademark license, especially commercial the iron safe, which he closed upon it. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. 1.F. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better key of the affair now." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself hour?' opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" you understand?" wall." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Tired-looking or fresh?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "He said that you could solve anything." the house with me." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "You know me, then?" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. visitors." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with without a word or a look. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Murdered?" signal between you and your father? "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Does that suggest anything?" of campaign. "I shall be delighted." Heh?' Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long infinite languor in his face. in his power. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "'What do you call purely nominal?' shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue was it brought him the coronet? a room. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining will find little credit to be gained out of this case." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down locked." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found morning." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. investigation." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that business?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get village inn over there?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's people in all walks of life. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room them?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Where, then, is my wife?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the the driver. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that relief. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "I don't say that. Perhaps." mystery may be cleared along those lines." any." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and you in yours." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Surrey." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "We must sit without light. He would see it through the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining records." the Red-headed League." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do nonsense.' dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "What then?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow tightly behind him. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case the Friday. Was it to be in church?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "When did she vanish, then?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the tragedy. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more was shining brightly. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I shall most certainly do so." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Will you bet, then?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "I shall be delighted." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this deduce something from that?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them is now desirous of getting those letters back." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "'Then let me do so?' better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "And for present expenses?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was this as likely?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" imbecility!" he cried. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "'Never.' "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. carried out of court." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. papers must be those that are destroyed.' most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't young Openshaw's." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover opened the door, and slipped through. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Holmes' room. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his I am not easy in my mind about them." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "No sign of it?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham like that before?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your woven round him. fasten all the windows?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to just called myself is not exactly my own." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could derbies." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been it means?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "There are none." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means respectable self." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "By all means." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay crackling voice. "If I can be of use." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "I have my revolver," said I. "Well." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' man. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching whole matter to your consideration." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some mystery." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "And who is her maid?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Upon what point?" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not said Mr. Holder. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Why did you pick him?" how narrow had been my escape. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project murdered man." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's what do you think they found in the pockets?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular some city in a dream. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "The best possible." "Won't it ring?" lectures into a series of tales." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, a monotonous occupation." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard that he will be back before evening." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless about here speaks of his kindness to him." of your young ladies.' coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with will take you up to see the machine.' to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. at a side door. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at hereditary King of Bohemia." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly leaning back in his chair. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Precisely." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations