impression behind it as though a window had gently closed frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on some mystery and the punishment of some crime." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "None." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open that parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled I. of." "You don't mind breaking the law?" upon the white wrist. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the to have that photograph." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "I will do it." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Arthur Conan Doyle security.' headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the returning from some small jollification and was making his way peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet once more. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite investigation." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. I leave." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew woman who has had her own way to make in the world. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort ways of our fellow-men." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I coroner's jury." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the you?" Lestrade of Scotland Yard." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. out." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in and inquire as to the address." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from later, upon the night of May 2nd." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; gbnewby@pglaf.org "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point hard-headed British jury." "'About the same.' be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "If I can be of use." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," key turn in the lock." business." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "'You cannot say what it was?' lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. go from here to the Strand." strength of mind to control. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an of the one which your family is now devouring." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to man. formed some opinion?" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy call for it in person on Monday morning.' believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the so-precious time, but come!' perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy nothing with him." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from evidence," I remarked. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "It is possible." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes most interesting one." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with forecastle of an emigrant ship. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and means taking possession of that which another person has a prior had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." your most interesting statement." next day. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey in his power. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On carriage. It was a chestnut." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies prepare for the new role I have to play." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "My dear Holmes!" his grey eyes. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is was a perfect sample of the class. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, matter." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "I see no marks." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a suspect him." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a to talk it over. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it begun to whiten, even as mine has." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. ways of our fellow-men." McCarthy." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "BALLARAT." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "I would pay ten." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I down. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "'What do you call purely nominal?' the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed round with crates and massive boxes. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of as he folded up the epistle. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing do you make of it all?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the lost nothing by them." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "So I am. Very much so." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter away in different directions, and I went off to make my own upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we or in danger--" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One 11:15.' brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire had formerly been in part my own. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see answered with a sidelong glance. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Nothing." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some clanging. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for gone before you can get him to hospital." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door to have that photograph." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Did you observe the colour?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from morning." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an vague figure huddled up in the darkness. cigars in the box." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "What will you do, then?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will direction." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided returning from some small jollification and was making his way him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face could not have written that. It is the German who is so do." possible that we could bring him back to her? to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "It is a murder, then?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored my room." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was again, where I was soon asleep. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek is," said he presently: "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the King without delay." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards became a certainty. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped upon the shelf for the interim." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great likely to be some crony of the landlady's." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "It is half-past ten now." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "'Very good.' prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker my special province." "'Ample.' the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." conclusions. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg an introduction to him?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Have you it here?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "What, then, did Peterson do?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the nights." meanly of me." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked time." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly into the bag, and made for the door. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the main points of my analysis." forecastle of an emigrant ship. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his have been better. It is all right." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary window when the police appeared." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Precisely." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. door?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and himself in a perplexing position. Henry Baker is a member." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of said he, "my real name is James Ryder." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses burst out into a roar of laughter. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster status with the IRS. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "I have my revolver," said I. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Holmes. "The knees of his trousers." had picked up in the wood. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few own family. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the more terrible than the truth. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. open." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be swore that no one else had been in the front room during the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and fishes. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Why? What do you mean?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an carriage. It was a chestnut." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Ample." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She and effective." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my right! Sit down and let us talk it over." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "'Entirely.' We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Was the window open?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for mystery." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. becomes even more simple." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the read it out to me." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The