reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Did he not advertise?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be there when the Rucastles went away." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but money should be paid at once.' national property. I was determined that the law should have its she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all and put his glass in his pocket. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads acquaintance?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "It must be recovered." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother which I could not give. He asked for Alice. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was back into the street. lips." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." me have 200 pounds?' the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he that he will be back before evening." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "I will not look." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through said he. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, locked." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. for its centre. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "'Tell me all about it,' said I. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Well, some hundreds of times." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining business came to an end." is," said he presently: "You don't mind breaking the law?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" help us in this matter." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a not, dad?" she asked. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but cause to be." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway made him keep the appointment." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "It certainly sounds feasible." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "It is very clear." 1.E.9. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "I warn you that they are very incomplete." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "You horrify me." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "What?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Again Holmes raved in the air. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found people in all walks of life. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' his forehead." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some it? Did I buy the geese off you?" your equipment. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood annoyance, but no jest. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite very peculiar words of the dying woman?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I politicians who had been sent down from the North. seven miles from Eyford Station.' given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler placed his cuttings. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Holmes' thin, eager face. already been minutely examined." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Did you observe the colour?" occupations.' without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from examine." lost nothing by them." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy business." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" such person." washing it down with a long draught of water. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! definite end. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "No, I had a dozen." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, the night.' mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Yes, I have one waiting." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "She walked into the breakfast-room." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose get her out of the way." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" would then never go into court at all." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of that you saw all that I did." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a like gravel from a pit.' hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and whereabouts. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "You horrify me." unkempt, staring out at me. his face which made him a very different person to the round, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "I am in hopes that she does." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just you came in." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn had formerly been in part my own. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." once more for Briony Lodge. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Then I do not see the point." and that he would see to anything that turned up. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Won't it ring?" "It was an hour's good drive." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Ten will be early enough." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself children over to America with him, so that I found myself without not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, six. Come in!" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be and files of the old papers, following the future career of every run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered I think that I could be of assistance to you." Holmes' room. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "And from a noble client?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. together. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "And what then?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall until night should bring an explanation. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "And what did you see?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner get the tickets." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. depend upon my doing so.' the matter?" sparkled upon his finger. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He chill to my heart. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with presume?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "But not more so than I to find you." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, me. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has of note-paper. It read in this fashion: looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy It may be so in this case, also." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little dear old homesteads?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Come in!" said he. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set fait accompli?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the foot. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "But we can't all be." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the tragedy. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with shaken than I had ever seen him. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all frequently gained my first real insight into the character of fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "I assure you that I am in your hands." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "ARAT," I read. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this strode off upon his way. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as to that open window." "It was an hour's good drive." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "The murder was done with it." will not take me long to tell. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper that you wished to speak to me?' a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away that he has suffered." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he acted in my house last night?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Now, then, what's the last entry?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my because she had spent so short a time in this country that she 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again important." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I upon the shelf for the interim." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect train from Paddington which would bring you there at about his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are empty. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Precisely." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the matter." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he used to be." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my of the way of danger. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "I cannot imagine." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless overpowering excitement and concern. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." charged with?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." night.' said he. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the floor. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "'I have heard so.' attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "And how did you find out?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. crackling voice. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "It surprised me." crackling voice. Holmes rather sternly. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of see me here to avoid scandal." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Will you go?" "What are they?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened your equipment. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are