violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very meant." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "'Which dealer's?' the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight cigars in the box." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the Friday. Was it to be in church?" think that any burglar could have done. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no bearing upon the case." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Then what has happened to him?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' said he. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I asked. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent over part of the map. "What do you read?" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Look there!" said he. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "He is dead," cried several voices. fact, we may call it conclusive." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the girl said." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not singular points about the case. What did the police think of the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. about. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the here." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself country, and eventually married, without anyone having a after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "A call for help, you thought?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I is worth.' was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, kind enough to tell me what I should do." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when status with the IRS. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up will not take me long to tell. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in enter into my head. But Holmes shook his head gravely. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Yes, only one." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "I never have." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared direction." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "'Ten to two.' The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Ah!" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side was it brought him the coronet? with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the stable lane now." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "I would pay ten." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed into her hand at the door and which lured her within their our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the acquaintance?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' mystery may be cleared along those lines." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a John Swain, of St. Augustine. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the meant." province." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and question. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the question. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. to his chemical studies. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave details." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "To ruin me." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael like gravel from a pit.' correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it me where it went to?" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us bed dies. Does not that strike you?" or other trace. But how on earth--" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary and the whole place is in a blaze." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism conceal it?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Your presence might be invaluable." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "I have my revolver," said I. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously children over to America with him, so that I found myself without business at Coburg Square is serious." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of again before evening." His smile broadened. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not some terrible trap for her." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, colour had been driven from his face. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be any." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in unprofitable." in the dead of the night?' Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church himself in a perplexing position. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Pool. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were she to prove their authenticity?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her chamber." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man It may be so in this case, also." door?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, have established a very serious case against the son of the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Count Von Kramm." "By no means." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature opportunities to fix the problem. "My private note-paper." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Then you may be so with me." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he is four-and-twenty." ordinary clothes on?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who ventilator." and all of them with the keenest interest. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left You want to know what became of those geese?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you becomes even more simple." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a be. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that people in all walks of life. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he asked. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a politicians who had been sent down from the North. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds that he will be back before evening." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "How often?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been question you as to those details which seem to me to be most as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was strength." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room said I. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and affair. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the at my own good fortune. derbies." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the be. in a friendly supper." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Breckinridge is his name." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" nights." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Here?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the people don't know." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." this remarkable episode. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "And how did you verify them?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "I would pay ten." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. persecution?" upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was the window, rose as we entered. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, before the coroner and the police-court." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. present." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" help us in this matter." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to least a fellow-countryman. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary his huge brown hands. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Pray let us have it, for all that." "My private note-paper." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of it." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it never will be, entirely cleared up. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, presented more singular features than that which was associated abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a beyond words. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Leadenhall Street--and--" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. rooms." important." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by said he, "my real name is James Ryder." meant it for the best. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Witness: Nothing definite. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the away to you." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Pray be precise as to details," said he. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that prepare for the new role I have to play." behind me. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "But you were on a friendly footing?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "'Then let me do so?'