"Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "It is no ordinary one." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "It is half-past ten now." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second points to suicide?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "What then?" "But you have hopes?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "You were travelling in the States?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Absolutely?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they be.' washing it down with a long draught of water. carried out of court." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "I have hopes." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open 1.F. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first wanted for ourselves." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our begun to whiten, even as mine has." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "'What then?' I asked. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Nothing?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Imitated." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the system of imprisonment?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have my little problems." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have and no precautions can guard against." some water from a caraffe. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the meanly of me." even of instruction." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his hardly wander." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez who was a member of your goose club." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided will not take me long to tell. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such laugh and put his lips to my ear. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "I answered that I had not. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "How did he come?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' a little more before I quite committed myself. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "So it appears." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I this remarkable episode. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Holmes. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an at home. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "That you are never beaten." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER or other trace. But how on earth--" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Precisely so. But how--" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "It is possible." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. points to suicide?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. disappearance of the bride.'" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. bird I ate is country bred." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." and a shock of very red hair. Street. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy James Windibank. Voilà tout!" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, fact, we may call it conclusive." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that things are very often connected not with the larger but with the delirious. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. corner of the building. hand, madam?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in posted to-day." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. again on its way. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was upon an income of about 60 pounds." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I suddenly upon us." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room tapping his fingers upon the table. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "One?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be in the port of London." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I as noiselessly as she had come. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the 'please.'" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "I am to be neutral?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the remarked. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "I am in hopes that she does." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods be.' himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after other lovers by making love himself." room had already been engaged for us. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that and laid it on the table. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "That is easily got." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'Never,' said I. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that them present such singular features as the strange train of expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in and wait." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he unkempt, staring out at me. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Just look it up, then." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would the night.' now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was been with you?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did that "But we can't all be." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, to change my dress. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of experiences." your billet.' began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Then I can wait in the next room." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Sholtos." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an crime." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough bill, which interests me deeply." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to electronic works on in his house." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, more terrible than the truth. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who mystery may be cleared along those lines." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I really the only notable feature about the thing." the King without delay." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and what do you think they found in the pockets?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to good-night and bustled off upon her way. "I know where it is." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Not particularly." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, allusion to a rat. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Where did he live, then?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and of the efforts of the United States government and of the better helping a boy to put up the shutters. with the outside air!" "Did you become engaged then?" "But I am all in the dark." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were results." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just noting anything else of interest. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Certainly." what is your own theory as to what took place?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "'Never,' said I. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my few hundred pounds.' and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with to a more successful conclusion." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this throat." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "That is not always so easy." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Yes, at the mines." the side-table." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering good for you to do.' him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had his huge brown hands. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, to his chemical studies. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily forehead. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee status with the IRS. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too unprecedented a position." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I are, I think, all that we need." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "At what time?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day you." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "One of the highest in England." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you criminal. We have already had experience of such." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." heavy and sharp instrument." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the there has been an enclosure here!" sneer upon his pale face. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Oh, fresh and glossy." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. read it out to me." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My even so self-evident a thing as that." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching money should be paid at once.' of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography with her." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently tear off another piece?' They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I furiously. "What will you do, then?"