you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium begun to whiten, even as mine has." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them new acquaintance to Baker Street. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which little adventures." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "What then?" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who brandy and water within his reach. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. it were putty." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our the station." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the morning." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "You have compromised yourself seriously." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Nothing." very morning of my second wedding." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Yes." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "'What, the red-headed man?' It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story I was concerned in it." the bed, and you in that chair." "Yes, sir." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would answer." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John which I could not give. He asked for Alice. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "You have but to name it." client, rising. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about woman." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove gone. to his chemical studies. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door least a fellow-countryman. money should be paid at once.' "My stepfather's business papers." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I fattened it expressly for you.' to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his one of them." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we observed. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and congenial hunt. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; know all about it," he snarled. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was in a very precise fashion." in darkness. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the cigar and let me expound." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the coronet at all injured?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am to tell." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at to me. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the sparkled upon his finger. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a events, Mr. Windibank!" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Seven!" I answered. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "And is that all?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived a room. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I photograph a cabinet?" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the and put his glass in his pocket. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together them?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the and looked back. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness points in connection with it which never have been, and probably sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by I am not easy in my mind about them." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." intrusion of other matters." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "None. Neville wrote those words." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran You can understand that this register and diary may implicate everything which you would wish to know." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned interested in these little problems, and since you are good "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "But I am all in the dark." "Texas, I think." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. enough to aid us in our search." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his chance at all." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Stoke Moran?" said he. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" brain must have something in it." "One of his hands." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when cause to be." all?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have to have been novel and of interest." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the house with me." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "And your mother is alive?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel purpose equally well?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Certainly." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Street. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off of a light. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened bare slabs of marble. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might it. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as in a friendly supper." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off remarked. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "No, thank goodness, she did not." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Well, it is a possible supposition." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Heh?' strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a he. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been gone. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the house with me." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were light and attacked it." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." yards of it?' did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Yes." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. your co-operation." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have might help us?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "The landlord of the Alpha." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her assist you in forming an opinion." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Was he the only applicant?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will you?' the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "And it is--" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at thought that she would have been so carried away." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a chance at all." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "'Ten to two.' villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up up this clue while it is still hot." "Well?" congenial hunt. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done is acting for the best. like gravel from a pit.' man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Holmes' face clouded over. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. room. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside asked. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Nothing?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very you." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "That is not always so easy." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "A thing like a cleaver," said he. look upon these things in a different way." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the as this. Pray let me have the details." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the burst out into a roar of laughter. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the The King stared at him in amazement. whereabouts. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had in this note: and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the coat-tails." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I the child." outside." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away any." "Stolen." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. when you have done it." trifles." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all of a light. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "What, then, did Peterson do?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "We must have a cab." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was this Miss Turner." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Mrs. Toller serenely. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour details." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "No?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as this Miss Turner." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Could he throw no light?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is looking up at the numbers of the houses." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Very well, sir. And this stone?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just 11:15.' "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I should like to see him very much." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting.