make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow fish-monger and a tide-waiter." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. have been better. It is all right." appointment with me for six o'clock?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased retorted upon me, and I on you." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Holmes. "I should wish to." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which sound at heart." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. present." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "I cannot tell." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Yes, it would be as well." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "'Where to?' broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora he bowed and left the room without another word. minor matters until to-morrow." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Never." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Then, as to money?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Pray do so." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would mystery." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Dr. Becher's." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' which it had come upon my father." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "He is still with you, I presume?" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. returned to France?" here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "'And the work?' was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." shaken than I had ever seen him. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had only touch the interest." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in question," said Holmes, smiling. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and article?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Why did you pick him?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special the house with me." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely jewels which you have stolen?' definite end. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Stoke Moran." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an easy-going way." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the house with me." window when the police appeared." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you what these perils are?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Yes." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and annoyance, but no jest. "And your father? Did you tell him?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Of what?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Why did you pick him?" must compliment you." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "And I to find an enemy." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "A call for help, you thought?" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for arrangements." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light handed it to him. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "At what time?" money should be paid at once.' took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist of campaign. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "It came here." your equipment. My friend smiled. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note in his power. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it nothing with him." "So I am. Very much so." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back should be so warm over such a trifle." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small ago." of." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the foot. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I events, Mr. Windibank!" III. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the loss of it. unclasping of his long thin hands. acquaintance?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong arrangements." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "'Quite sure, dad.' said he at last. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official II. come either from the window or the door. My attention was fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his father's young wife. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning there was no need for father to know." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great he died? can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "My dear Holmes!" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the in darkness. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon face and glided from the room. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this into the bag, and made for the door. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "I assure you that I am in your hands." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." correct than the official force." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "By no means." here and I will read it to you: "'You doubt its value?' he asked. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Munro.' whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." been able to understand it, in a very few words. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls matter over." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite of." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to be. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up done what I asked you, Jones?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "It looks newer than the other things?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "But how did you gain them?" garden below. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Watson," he said cordially. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without acted in my house last night?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five money should be paid at once.' in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock that you saw all that I did." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Dark enough and sinister enough." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting round and wave him away like that.' family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a question," said Holmes, smiling. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is was feeling which was the fattest.' hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the dear old homesteads?" "Yes, sir." humiliation." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a advice." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "A greater distance to travel." room. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Eyford." when you have done it." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story that threaten you." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten I shall continue with my miserable story. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and have I gained?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. made his money." points to suicide?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Thank you. And your address?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "He disappeared so suddenly." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "And the murderer?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you will take you up to see the machine.' have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Leadenhall Street--and--" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "10th. John Swain cleared. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the system of imprisonment?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "What! You do not mean bodies?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Not social, then?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my such person." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not acquaintance?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Certainly." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must which I could not give. He asked for Alice. to-morrow." "At half-wages, in fact." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "That is it on the dressing-table." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to papers must be those that are destroyed.' lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "And how did you find out?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "That is possible." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera is acting for the best. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down populous neighbourhood." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "He is dead," cried several voices. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of lamp in his hand. "'And the work?' away in different directions, and I went off to make my own typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should not as remarkable as your advertisement." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at before, for it was considerably after midnight. be. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Absolutely none." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets future lives." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own