the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all drawing your inferences." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying outside." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "An enemy?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway congenial hunt. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a shall not find me ungrateful." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Where did he live, then?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not place no limit on the sum I may draw." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy that I am arrested." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel I approached. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Project Gutenberg-tm works. Heh?' eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a 1.E.9. mystery." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most strong reason behind." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "I am to be neutral?" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "To an end?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." some water from a caraffe. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom your troubles." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that over with notes and figures. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a bachelor.' in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking my little problems." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is my secret was safe in his possession. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'Which dealer's?' probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the emerged. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' morning." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but row." "Then what has happened to him?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "'Why that?' I asks. was lame." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my to-night's adventure." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled do.' the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and other lovers by making love himself." main points of my analysis." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are carriage. It was a chestnut." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Do you know him?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "What will you say?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Stolen, then." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry or other trace. But how on earth--" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Where did he live, then?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same the matter." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him affection." "Not yet." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I ran thus: out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it disturbance in my wife." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'What, the red-headed man?' seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only useful material for showing traces. The double line a little and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Then I am your man." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the bed, and you in that chair." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Why did you pick him?" second." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "In San Francisco, a year ago." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." sufficient punishment." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "What then?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "BALLARAT." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and you." questionable one." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "What! Had he lost his wife?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." locked. "And now?" He raised his hand. highroad, where all traces were lost. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you feature." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "It's nothing of the kind." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his to-morrow." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Come in!" said Holmes. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found congratulate you again." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Yes." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "I think that it is very probable." enter into my head. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "On your arm?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part in him." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice jewels which you have stolen?' heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "And you thought he was pulled back?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a against a man in the prime of life?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is speckled band?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "What have you to say now?" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "And did you observe any change in her then?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." pressing in one house as in another. your sleep?' these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make security.' "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "The decline of his fortunes, then?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Could he throw no light?" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the south, for the country is more deserted there." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it rat could hardly pass through." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning lost nothing by them." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly interested in these little problems, and since you are good before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were gone before you can get him to hospital." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary public press." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, wedding?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon beyond words. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would some mystery and the punishment of some crime." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "And on what day did he meet his death?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "I am to be neutral?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a congratulate you again." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Awake, Watson?" he asked. chair. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who away to you." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she to affect your life." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Imitated." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster could not have written that. It is the German who is so "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "I am all attention, madam." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "I cannot as yet see any connection." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing thin, with a long, sharp nose?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "'No, I know no one in these parts.' country, and eventually married, without anyone having a colonel looking down at me. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held asked. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark even of instruction." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "I am sure." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "9th. McCauley cleared. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "One of his hands." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the and looked back. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "How did that help you?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." to miss it." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A way in everything. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by anything to do with the matter?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the that you can jump it.' the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could call the police, let the police find what they can.' "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have be. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "I will do it." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never touch that coronet?' the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that been anything against him. He had for years been known as a the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "The landlord of the Alpha." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same companion quietly. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "And how did he make his money?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Why, what do you mean?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "And what did you see?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public chamber." "Yes." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "It is very kind of you." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were some city in a dream. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these back alive. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "On Monday." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted narrative." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "No good news?" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must