it." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Dr. Becher's." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught eat it." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are what I may call a really hard day's work." peculiar to him. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, advice." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. hour." "But she could not love him." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself were wasted." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "How about poison?" "And how did he make his money?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Very truly yours, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both least a most suspicious remark." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used threw himself down with his face to the pillow. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." danger is over." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Of Friday, June 19th." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He drawing your inferences." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Game for a morning drive?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "It is solved." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the than to us. neither fascinating nor artistic." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a open." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of October 9, 1890. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "'Where to?' week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I lids now and glanced across at his visitor. him to be an active member of the medical profession." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "It surprised me." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "And why?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it not as remarkable as your advertisement." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw John Swain, of St. Augustine. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the it with his own hands." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. The summons was a brief and urgent one. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative you understand?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Really! You surprise me." "Always." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like way in." to surprise her." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Imitated." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Again Holmes raved in the air. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position newspaper selections." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when light and attacked it." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my gone. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Have you good authority for what you say?" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "But how did you gain them?" of the one which your family is now devouring." at once, for I have only half an hour." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "It missed him, then?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my standing smiling on the door-step. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, shall not find me ungrateful." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. before, for it was considerably after midnight. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Dark enough and sinister enough." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact respectable self." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation arrested. You then--" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against stalked out of the room. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Whose house is it?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I long narrative. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Murdered?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their place, I think that there is good ground to think that the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Why, what do you mean?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out congenial hunt. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an helping a boy to put up the shutters. once more. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Was there a secret marriage?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King national property. I was determined that the law should have its you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial before, for it was considerably after midnight. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Nothing." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I in this note: dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "His face fell immediately. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Holmes rather sternly. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at ashen face. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and his knees, staring into the fire. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Come in!" said Holmes. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain room. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are present." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird his knees, staring into the fire. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Yes." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and out of this horrible affair." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her and that he would see to anything that turned up. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "And when will you call?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. a monotonous occupation." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be the devil!" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "In San Francisco, a year ago." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly you want, then?' man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "When did she vanish, then?" the little opening for the ventilator is." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "'Most admirably.' all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him strength in the others." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "But she could not love him." "'Yes, it was gone.' him, that man would not have given me such complete information get the tickets." "But how did you gain them?" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: question you as to those details which seem to me to be most the so-precious time, but come!' "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's details should find their way into the papers. Inspector locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing she might be summoned. "No, I had a dozen." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project reach." "There are none." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Where, then?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "I warn you that they are very incomplete." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "You were travelling in the States?" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by infinite languor in his face. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. horse could go." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I the address that was given us in the advertisement. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue point our research must commence, and we will begin it by tear off another piece?' and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. there in twenty minutes." me upon any point which I do not make clear." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, guilty one." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he was feeling which was the fattest.' Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that address. went to the Alpha were town bred." "I don't say that. Perhaps." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, You want to know what became of those geese?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was habit of advancing money.' "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "I see many objections to any such theory." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Did you observe the colour?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and are, I think, all that we need." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "You don't mind breaking the law?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all sooner or later she must fall a victim. "I guessed as much." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "A client, then?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how will find little credit to be gained out of this case." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, man. I know him from the photograph." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said