list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Not I." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the tell them apart.' livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "And help." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped noble correspondent could be. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, through." me have 200 pounds?' "That is unusual in a young girl." "I cannot imagine." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I the south-west, I see." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "I shall be delighted." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New legal crime." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment in this way: call the police, let the police find what they can.' master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, said he. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "'Which dealer's?' pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Then what has happened to him?" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Nothing?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew at home. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those in a very precise fashion." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to the loss of it. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "How many? I don't know." chill to my heart. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to lost nothing by them." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it you came in." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and business." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. ready to-morrow?' the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked of." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Yes." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a infinite languor in his face. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to me." the coroner come to?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I the Assizes." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. them?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still fat-encircled eyes. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles me. You must get home instantly and act." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, formed some opinion?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" outside. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade writing, and yet I know it well." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "What!" he roared. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. maid will bring up your coffee." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out the best of training." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass conduct the inquiry." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and chance at all." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may with her." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "I shall be delighted." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It bears upon the case?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of answered with a sidelong glance. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in highroad, where all traces were lost. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a correct than the official force." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' results." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "No bad?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and certainly do as you advise." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I writers could invent nothing more crude." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Cross for the Continent." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "No, I had a dozen." "The doctor?" "Dr. Becher's." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "He is dead," cried several voices. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "And Irene Adler?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon approach us with offers to donate. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the question. you, my dear young lady?' desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, heavily into it. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable was used.' concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared appointment with me for six o'clock?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a You can understand that this register and diary may implicate about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Yes." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are started for the Temple to see my husband. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to of." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Munro.' sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she kind enough to tell me what I should do." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I outbreak?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the which was all perfectly true. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. death." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "I have solved it." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the asked with his eyes open. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Holmes' room. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun asked. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who hard-headed British jury." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was whereabouts. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking have accepted such a situation. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Gutenberg-tm License. examine." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had along the entire front of the house, with three long windows found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," you." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been residence of the great financier. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Not I." there!' simple cases which are so extremely difficult." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me late!' as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Witness: It was. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his wanted for ourselves." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this your billet.' of Mr. Rucastle's." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of burst out into a roar of laughter. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Yes." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Where to?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for conversation I have gathered that they have been married about moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "I will not look." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "To an English lawyer named Norton." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Ha! you find it so?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" read over the extraordinary announcement. "Dirty?" there has been an enclosure here!" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Could he throw no light?" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend quite distinctive." "Well?" have an American origin." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Then he might have called to you?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Has he come with you to-night?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the unkempt, staring out at me. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the meant." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Yes, it was twisted." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this said he. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight of it with the greatest attention. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Was he the only applicant?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four second." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "But you have hopes?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Have you it here?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "'How far from the body?' Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue these bleak autumnal evenings." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Was the window open?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign threw himself down with his face to the pillow. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all