acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed deduce something from that?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate like that before?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than round with crates and massive boxes. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you papers must be those that are destroyed.' you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the pressing in one house as in another. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Pray continue your narrative." Project Gutenberg-tm works. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, will he say when he returns?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America burst out into a roar of laughter. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of the child." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "I say that I have solved it." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It confronted him. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a question you as to those details which seem to me to be most spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "One of his hands." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "I am armed." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with directors, with the result that you have seen." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of business?" you understand?" arrested. You then--" say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Holmes. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project be there in time for your coming." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said in the port of London." "And your father? Did you tell him?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, vault. "The knees of his trousers." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us death." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Very much so." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "I guessed as much." at once, for I have only half an hour." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the fait accompli?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Is he quiet?" became a certainty. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, second window is the one that I jumped from." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Nearly eleven." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first London for the present?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought at a side door. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "9th. McCauley cleared. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "'What then?' I asked. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "I am in hopes that she does." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Yes, it would be as well." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "ARAT," I read. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of province." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Why did you beat the pavement?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the it were putty." appeal." purpose of examination. constraint." lectures into a series of tales." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, helping a boy to put up the shutters. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "It is half-past ten now." appointment with me for six o'clock?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Of Friday, June 19th." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." garden below. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the do.' the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether front of the hall door has given its name to the place. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used of them has the shutters up.' thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "An accident, I presume?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Will you bet, then?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I she has been waylaid. There has been no result." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not unprofitable." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "What! Had he lost his wife?" "I came to find a friend." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered the Assizes." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "And help." away to you." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up I have it here in my museum." "What, then, did Peterson do?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the her also." situation." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now were unconscious?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as that?' "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, which are rolled in Rotterdam." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with several quiet little villages up there." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I have solved it." stood on the top of it. place of silver." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son directly by questioning you." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his ceremony." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew distance from the station, and there we found the young lady There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "And how have you succeeded?" true." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he frequently gained my first real insight into the character of instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "'Most admirably.' inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "'Ample.' self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of detained." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking forbidden door. the house with me." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking forecastle of an emigrant ship. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Never." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "One of his hands." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had were unconscious?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at from the brougham. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's not interfere, come what may. You understand?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "On Monday." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that father's young wife. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice indeed happy." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Quite so. She has her freedom." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Leadenhall Street--and--" views." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' future lives." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what suddenly upon us." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "No. What a strange idea!" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the enter into my head. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. for its centre. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Pope's Court. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Thank you. And your address?" Sutherland?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "I beg pardon." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Entirely." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is noble correspondent could be. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I new duties?' hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' these bleak autumnal evenings." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock forbidden door. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's bill, which interests me deeply." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently know that the truth is known." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "'Very good.' is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." front of me. might help us?" bonnet, and went out." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the get her out of the way." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was rooms." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Where, then, is my wife?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed may have an influence upon European history." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." discontent upon his features. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "You don't mind breaking the law?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a his forehead." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this nothing of it?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at had died away into the silence from which it rose. recover the gem." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen colour had been driven from his face.