1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend upon an income of about 60 pounds." my room." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is bird of prey. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do and the whole place is in a blaze." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Nothing." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. bill, which interests me deeply." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Get out!" said he. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would train.' housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he south, for the country is more deserted there." "His face fell immediately. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her at my remark. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two without a word or a look. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Yes, but only for you and me." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine showing my impatience. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will tassel actually lying upon the pillow. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "It missed him, then?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few bearing upon the case." and a shock of very red hair. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was directors, with the result that you have seen." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Where, indeed?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, that threaten you." are, I think, all that we need." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of keep the flames under. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have affair. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "You think that he is dead?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are views." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this train from Paddington which would bring you there at about lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "'About the same.' of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, 1.F. "Could he throw no light?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "I cannot imagine." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Have you it here?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small The note was undated, and without either signature or address. so far?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'Where could I find him?' our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature you." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Then I shall certainly come." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was the coronet in his hands?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with noble correspondent could be. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror that?' habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, his face which made him a very different person to the round, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I and shall probably return to London by the evening train." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "No, my brougham is waiting." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "I have seen the police." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "I do." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "10th. John Swain cleared. how narrow had been my escape. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "To ruin me." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when States. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." The events in question occurred in the early days of my first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "You have compromised yourself seriously." see a sister of mine apply for." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." him." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the south-west, I see." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Dirty?" "I should like to see him very much." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his peculiar to him. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from nonsense.' McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." were new raised from a basin. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on as this. Pray let me have the details." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save companion. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. photograph?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet there!' "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Where, then, is my wife?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the so-precious time, but come!' but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "And the cigar-holder?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Of what day?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "And who is her maid?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I cannot say that I have." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." For additional contact information: "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a British peeress.'" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given congenial hunt. ways of our fellow-men." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. attention." happened." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it answered with a sidelong glance. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "And how in the world did you find them?" the child." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has compunction about shooting them down." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." him. have had none more fantastic than this." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "The King of Scandinavia." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the remarked. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit soul! here is her carriage at the door." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, lost his Christmas dinner." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be fear." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "It is very kind of you." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after you found me to-night--and running through the front room she when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No down in his armchair and closing his eyes. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of really the only notable feature about the thing." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture if she died from some sudden fright." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, dates and names. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we meant." "Indeed! Whose, then?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very a good hundred miles off by now." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew you came in." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great extraordinary contortions. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, once more. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'Where to?' determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for hand, madam?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a as noiselessly as she had come. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near acquaintance?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches business?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "You think so, too?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "But you were on a friendly footing?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "A client, then?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the the south-west, I see." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "My last client of the sort was a king." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." nonsense.' it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the very morning of the wedding." became a certainty. like gravel from a pit.' the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired him." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's that the gas is not laid on in his house?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the in darkness. bled considerably." "It is very kind of you." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of you." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some morning." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he correct than the official force." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her to-night?' finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come mysterious end." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich as yours." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in purpose of examination. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "What! a murderous attack?" interested in these little problems, and since you are good know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "We must have a cab." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide trying to your nerves." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Well, but China?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the