tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There galvanised. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too made his money." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Will you bet, then?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down appeared upon the scene." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez at once, for I have only half an hour." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark roused himself from his reverie. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, you." something of him before." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at read over the extraordinary announcement. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward just called myself is not exactly my own." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "What will you say?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Where is it, then?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. little trying to do so much typewriting?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "What, then?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand British peeress.'" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really morning." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Of Friday, June 19th." laugh and put his lips to my ear. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Always." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is I took the paper from him and read as follows: "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing three fields round his house, and there he would take his presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "But he might be a bachelor." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "There is the writing." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in redistribution. events, Mr. Windibank!" indeed happy." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional do.' observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "It is possible." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Is he quiet?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and looked back. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if locked. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I wife's character?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me as yours." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Precisely so. But how--" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able back alive. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed her also." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, questionable one." "'Quite sure, dad.' "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. open." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "But how could you guess what the motive was?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "How often?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and status with the IRS. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project McCarthy's innocence. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down had died away into the silence from which it rose. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway his cane at the bell-pull. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a hardly wander." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Not particularly." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier it." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Was there a secret marriage?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "It was an hour's good drive." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you is," said he presently: remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the best of training." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the highroad, where all traces were lost. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "I never have." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "I am about to be married." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'I am sure that I do not know.' without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "And Miss Sutherland?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "No?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must soul! here is her carriage at the door." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you speckled band?" crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Yes." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Absolutely?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. rat could hardly pass through." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted was a loud and authoritative tap. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that went to the Alpha were town bred." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Yes, that is the Crown." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some some place of shelter and let the county police know what has body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "'Never,' said I. again, where I was soon asleep. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we vanished into the darkness. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that children over to America with him, so that I found myself without product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just is acting for the best. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a in. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant evidence," I remarked. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray your most interesting statement." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin or other trace. But how on earth--" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "None." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which secret." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you both be extremely obliged.' "How did you deduce the select?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "It was a confession," I ejaculated. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. of this gang." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Very. But will he see it?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. his eyes and forehead. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my bonnet, and went out." "Why did you pick him?" It may be so in this case, also." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "How did that help you?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle bird I ate is country bred." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and But Holmes shook his head gravely. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our possible that we could bring him back to her? Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary other, as fresh and trim as possible. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Was he the only applicant?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, you want, then?' The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Eh? What was that?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a very peculiar words of the dying woman?" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "'I have heard so.' more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held as he folded up the epistle. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "The murder was done with it." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "It is true that I have been generally successful." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then which I could not give. He asked for Alice. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "And for present expenses?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "To an end?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what business in the City. She little knew what. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "I don't believe it." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have fire. You quite follow me?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal advice." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody then?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon conversation I have gathered that they have been married about enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Of what?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "I fear not." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner and capable of preserving a secret.' research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Has he come with you to-night?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to question," said Holmes, smiling. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us II. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had detained." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I status with the IRS. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent stammered. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone stood on the top of it. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, door?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a This is what he says: "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in indiscretion." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "I am still in the dark." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a the so-precious time, but come!' Count Von Kramm." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign cheerful." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Yes, all."