its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with morning." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain guilty parties." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Who was the criminal, then?" fact, we may call it conclusive." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "My Mary? Impossible!" putting in the horse. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of sake, don't!" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved with the outside air!" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Here?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into once more to my work. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." tear off another piece?' the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." pressing in one house as in another. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' presume?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in narrative." time." Mary, has deserted me." money should be paid at once.' This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Yes, from Horsham." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "And how did he make his money?" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign room. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "None. Neville wrote those words." business in the City. She little knew what. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes not, dad?" she asked. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "To ruin me." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Countess of Morcar's?" direction." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me lumber-room." his wife has ceased to love him." copied or distributed: by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "I think it very unlikely." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "'As governess?' the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. IS clanging. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional rose-bushes. attention." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "He disappeared so suddenly." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It his fortune, and I went back to pa. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize friend's singular character. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had throat." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those his forehead." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in lectures into a series of tales." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of some terrible trap for her." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his and shall probably return to London by the evening train." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable lips." begun to whiten, even as mine has." less than 26s. 4d. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" to that open window." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a back alive. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a towards the blaze. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon security.' closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. important." help us in this matter." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon there is a decided draught." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it means taking possession of that which another person has a prior jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between triumphant cloud from his cigarette. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." happened." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no yourselves in at night?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Holmes' thin, eager face. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't is a common subject for conversation. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood prisoner's face. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "I was mad--insane." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project a very grave face. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business shoulder. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "This photograph!" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's said Mr. Holder. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy thought that she would have been so carried away." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, October 9, 1890. posted to-day." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my swore that no one else had been in the front room during the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an detective. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "I shall most certainly do so." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'In my own bureau.' they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year telegram would bring me down to your help." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I for the market.' Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal politicians who had been sent down from the North. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "You will not go there first?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, must compliment you." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "My dear Holmes!" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got during that time.' "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, I shall continue with my miserable story. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. This is what he says: might help us?" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I am about to be married." imbecility!" he cried. "But what will you do?" you understand?" hard-headed British jury." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "An accident, I presume?" anything to do with the matter?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I do." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had prepare for the new role I have to play." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his happened." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "And did you observe any change in her then?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, you do it in twenty minutes!' occupations.' that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Do you know him?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Pool. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to will take you up to see the machine.' think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were bill, which interests me deeply." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the roused himself from his reverie. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Holmes. or in danger--" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "'What do you call purely nominal?' reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have trifles." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course careless servant girl?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Pope's Court. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "'I am sure if I had known--' inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "The murder was done with it." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to out of this horrible affair." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a opportunities to fix the problem. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Then he might have called to you?" think you a quite exceptional woman." chemical work which was so dear to him. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I may have an influence upon European history." "And now?" He raised his hand. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local writers could invent nothing more crude." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Then you may entirely rely on me." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted in the hope of finding them." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he it. envelope. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Yes, from Horsham." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might upon a handsome competence. fatally injured? Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who and the church but not where the lady lived." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of one which it was hard to resist. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, and put his glass in his pocket. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Pray continue your narrative." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" neither fascinating nor artistic." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently of the way of danger. of Fenchurch Street." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to have been better. It is all right." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "And the murderer?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "You have compromised yourself seriously." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had the stable lane now." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and advice." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You nothing with him." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of not interfere, come what may. You understand?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite when your master had gone out." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we lids now and glanced across at his visitor. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily ran thus: Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a sake, don't!" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The appointment with me for six o'clock?" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful second." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "It came here." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." good for you to do.' to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Has he come with you to-night?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Heh?' address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in asked. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and with some details as to your case." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the loss of it. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close shag which I had seen upon the previous night. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the families. Now for the facts. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole