seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Imitated." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "'I have already given you my word.' pressing in one house as in another. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little promised to bring home. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the figure." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "'You cannot say what it was?' conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the child." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "When did she vanish, then?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The coroner's jury." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 placed his cuttings. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the kind enough to tell me what I should do." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers bearing upon the case." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "And how did he make his money?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "No?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the window, rose as we entered. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I again." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel bell. Holmes whistled. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "I fear not." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose towards the blaze. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you developed." you." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate help us in this matter." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "'Yes, it was gone.' prison!" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my the child." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand our word." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is and effective." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." when you have done it." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "I cannot think." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is directors have had misgivings upon the subject." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs But Holmes shook his head gravely. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "How do you know, then?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, and wait." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start past. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves the stones. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But matter." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." people don't know." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say DAMAGE. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Yes." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? again." there has been an enclosure here!" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Yes, only one." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the straighten it?" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "No, I am descending." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "And you can do nothing until then?" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Dr. Becher's." remarked. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." the child." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "What do you make of that, Watson?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" out of this horrible affair." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, read over the extraordinary announcement. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. advice." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and that you wished to speak to me?' that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." have established a very serious case against the son of the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "What is it?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards said I. not, dad?" she asked. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Did he not advertise?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being your most interesting statement." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." of the one which your family is now devouring." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "My dear Holmes!" "Breckinridge is his name." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your status with the IRS. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Holmes, the busybody!" Holmes. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Heh?' misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever I nodded again. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "My stepfather's business papers." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know way in everything. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Not in a good cause." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, 11:15.' King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the system of imprisonment?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "And what did you see?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "'Where to?' true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "That was it, sir." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her locked. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "And what then?" purpose of examination. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his thirty. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "So I am. Very much so." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough delirious. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "BALLARAT." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? have accepted such a situation. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been prepare for the new role I have to play." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "The vanishing of the lady." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close she to prove their authenticity?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Nothing." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the manager. "What then?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable outside." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Were they all fastened this morning?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend said he. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I will not look." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he will take you up to see the machine.' elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Will you go?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the a monotonous occupation." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "At half-wages, in fact." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Not yet." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, attention." "You did not overhear what they said?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him the ceiling. "And sit in the dark?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements himself to tell his story. "Yes." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. fattened it expressly for you.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he three fields round his house, and there he would take his it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently of the one which your family is now devouring." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "You have but to name it." of." III. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the imbecility!" he cried. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "I answered that I had not. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped noise which awoke you from your sleep?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Project Gutenberg-tm works. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he