the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "10th. John Swain cleared. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my pity, because in other respects you would really have done very eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did take the flies, but not before." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes his huge brown hands. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a October 9, 1890. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in pity, because in other respects you would really have done very it with his own hands." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, key turn in the lock." I think that I could be of assistance to you." Lee, in the county of Kent." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Oh, yes, easily." round with crates and massive boxes. conclusions. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had success. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "And I." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "That's no good." to-night." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "No, I think that I'll take it." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest easy-going way." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. a monotonous occupation." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies photograph?" "The vanishing of the lady." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." shall use the carriage to-night." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "At half-wages, in fact." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements be. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "And the murderer?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, with you alone." as yours." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. in one or two places in England?' just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." front of me. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "'About the same.' occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "How did you deduce the select?" "His face fell immediately. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "No." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the gigantic client. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length at home. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and sufficient punishment." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "What steps will you take?" I asked. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to that he will be back before evening." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the man. I know him from the photograph." it were putty." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some have got?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective pressing in one house as in another. noting anything else of interest. despair." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that unclasping of his long thin hands. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." there is a decided draught." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "And leave your case unfinished?" of them has the shutters up.' Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from matter." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her disappearance of the bride.'" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." II. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his murdered man." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I maid will bring up your coffee." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "How about poison?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now geese which you supplied to the Alpha." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock until night should bring an explanation. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake fish-monger and a tide-waiter." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I beg pardon." "And you can do nothing until then?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered silent! Oh, he will be silent!' point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Certainly." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Won't it ring?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced to where he stood hid behind the curtain. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "The knees of his trousers." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Not him." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "A client, then?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "And Miss Sutherland?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "You were travelling in the States?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own were wasted." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Yes. He waved his hands." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client carriage. It was a chestnut." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Clair, of Lee." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, at my own good fortune. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled and all of them with the keenest interest. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be arrangements." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs guilty parties." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring triumphant cloud from his cigarette. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she would then never go into court at all." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Precisely." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "It was." "But to whom?" man. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "So I heard. You have him here?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and showing my impatience. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Thank you. And your address?" populous neighbourhood." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Never to return." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found works. See paragraph 1.E below. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Henry Baker is a member." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" a suggestive one." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Yes, but only for you and me." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a fat-encircled eyes. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than we went to search for him, face downward in a little or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open man. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "No, my brougham is waiting." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "We were both in the photograph." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "And why?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as round with crates and massive boxes. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at narrative." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again sparkled upon his finger. his fortune, and I went back to pa. "My opinion is in no way altered." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the morning and make my own way in the world.' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she with frightened eyes at his accuser. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Surrey." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "'What would be the hours?' I asked. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which have established a very serious case against the son of the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "And why?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the I think that I could be of assistance to you." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon deduce something from that?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'There is a drive, then?' charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I will get her to show me." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "'And the work?' "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very little adventures." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must me upon any point which I do not make clear." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a to affect your life." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "I beg pardon." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "'Never.' shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. during which he might have communicated with his friend the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for as yours." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "10th. John Swain cleared. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are other lovers by making love himself." man. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate that threaten you." "'Certainly,' I answered. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds your billet.' "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower definite end. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside six. Come in!" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "I will do it." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Yes." official police." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just question," said Holmes, smiling. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the best of training." existence." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which unprecedented a position." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "What then?" "Dirty?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress