photograph a cabinet?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "He might." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "But we can't all be." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "And how in the world did you find them?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have stalked out of the room. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully fatally injured? round and wave him away like that.' in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "It must be recovered." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. once more. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her help us in this matter." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included plantation.' adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "What then?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Very. But will he see it?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you them, and came down just as you departed. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "And Miss Sutherland?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just fattened it expressly for you.' your troubles." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Why did you beat the pavement?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Farm upon the left." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was approach us with offers to donate. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Witness: I must still refuse. "What will you say?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have anything to a woman, for she would have her way." became a certainty. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "A confidential servant?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, late!' enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "You have the photograph?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the business?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." populous neighbourhood." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Stolen, then." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than gone. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "What!" he roared. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it because she had spent so short a time in this country that she was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "What! Had he lost his wife?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "What! a murderous attack?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens things are very often connected not with the larger but with the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Sholtos." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." compunction about shooting them down." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "I am following you closely," I answered. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for such person." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between for and were ordered to this address. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "But he might be a bachelor." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always What do you deduce from it?" "Look there!" said he. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight that the gas is not laid on in his house?" he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a think you a quite exceptional woman." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "He is dead," cried several voices. go from here to the Strand." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. next day. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "And what did you learn from him?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough is now desirous of getting those letters back." through." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my distinguish the words: Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, mystery!" opportunities to fix the problem. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is future lives." "Dr. Becher's." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "In what way?" asked Holmes. papers diligently of late, have you not?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered your sleep?' "Stolen, then." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed presume?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, know all about it," he snarled. "Never to return." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I despair." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Witness: It was. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Again Holmes raved in the air. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." clanging. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Well, some hundreds of times." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Just look it up, then." the coroner come to?" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Yes, at the mines." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the which was all perfectly true. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Yes, at the mines." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "But how could you guess what the motive was?" voice, changing her seat as requested. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, distinguish the words: hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "You are all wrong." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an upon the white wrist. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." II. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Her father is very rich?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "No, thank goodness, she did not." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "None." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to the warnings." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "No, my brougham is waiting." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee You can understand that this register and diary may implicate prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Witness: I must still refuse. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Stolen." "Seven!" I answered. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance status with the IRS. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the strength." "Never." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is investigation." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another had a long day." in his power. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, joking. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the strong and stiff." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Holmes. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, of." discontent upon his features. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of be there in time for your coming." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened little trying to do so much typewriting?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the one of them." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall enough to aid us in our search." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of his grey eyes. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I here and I will read it to you: murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a writers could invent nothing more crude." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was signal between you and your father? was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the of the vacancies.' have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "The Cedars?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "I am to be neutral?" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, key of the affair now." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "I will try. What is it?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then chance at all." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Certainly." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I should be immensely obliged to you." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, villagers almost as much as their master. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "How many? I don't know." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon learned something! Where are the gems?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Stolen." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "What then?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking weapon." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Yes." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "It was a confession," I ejaculated. His smile broadened. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to to you."