purpose equally well?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should nonsense.' coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." sneer upon his pale face. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Precisely." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking morning." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "9th. McCauley cleared. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing your own bird, so if you wish--" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered chambers. made his money." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the south-west, I see." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "My last client of the sort was a king." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as o'clock is it?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand this man was intellectual?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm locked. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods as noiselessly as she had come. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by floor. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "No, my brougham is waiting." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now charge against him will break down." "But you can know nothing of this?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to keep the flames under. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, round with crates and massive boxes. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "But I have heard all that you have heard." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is long narrative. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them to me. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you entirely devoid of interest." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, ran thus: was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself locked." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to relief. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect said he. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive him, that man would not have given me such complete information upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "And help." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these little adventures." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. British peeress.'" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed it." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Quite so." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "What! You do not mean bodies?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Never." ran thus: "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who all that?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At was already answered. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such words came to my lips. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we for the market.' to a light-house. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Your French gold?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But ways of our fellow-men." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard begin with, and I had not got mine yet." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, was a loud and authoritative tap. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked article?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast mystery may be cleared along those lines." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are in a friendly supper." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from along the entire front of the house, with three long windows front of me. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than flock.' See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers away in different directions, and I went off to make my own greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 leaning back in his chair. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Not him." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "'I am sure if I had known--' I shall communicate with you." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Which surely he restored to their owner?" sofa. This way, please!" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was will not take me long to tell. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," indeed which he could not unravel. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid like gravel from a pit.' to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at we went to search for him, face downward in a little sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "And did you observe any change in her then?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has see me here to avoid scandal." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "No, I am descending." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of cause to be." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and minor matters until to-morrow." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "It must be recovered." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "How are you getting on?" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to all that?" meant." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other was a loud and authoritative tap. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he woman." is so. I know all about McCarthy." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of the child." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "And Miss Sutherland?" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "You think so, too?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "No." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' in my life." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such 11:15.' it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, face and glided from the room. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "What, then, did Peterson do?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of observed. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "He is dead," cried several voices. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step figure." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: sooner or later she must fall a victim. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning get the tickets." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is for its centre. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted forecastle of an emigrant ship. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had way: "No more words. Get out!" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Countess of Morcar's?" not come at once?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "I saw her in conversation with her maid." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "What can it mean?" I gasped. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Does that suggest anything?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Certainly." to have been novel and of interest." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and flock.' its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "The knees of his trousers." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "You'll never persuade me to believe that." it." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now gigantic client. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Yes." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come and I shall be with you presently." habit of advancing money.' fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "What will you do, then?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much said I. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Absolutely?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "I was sure that I might rely on you." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed your bag." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when with you?" that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "You know me, then?" the so-precious time, but come!' Pope's Court. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "An accident, I presume?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman washing it down with a long draught of water. minor matters until to-morrow." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Yes, they were peculiar boots." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Surrey." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built do." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the ran thus: assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was if she died from some sudden fright." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the handed it to him. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the pictures, libraries, or plate. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining