lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt electronic works face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have carriage. It was a chestnut." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter him to be an active member of the medical profession." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" is acting for the best. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Then the page we have seen--" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "And what did you learn from him?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "I think that I had better go, Holmes." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for just ask you whether you had heard it.' made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Henry Baker is a member." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, some city in a dream. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia useful material for showing traces. The double line a little me upon any point which I do not make clear." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Lee, in the county of Kent." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "I cannot say that I have." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary or other trace. But how on earth--" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate these bleak autumnal evenings." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of appeal." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my of fine shops and stately business premises that they really at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "He is still with you, I presume?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Yes." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements entirely lost his self-respect." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the round with crates and massive boxes. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter which was all perfectly true. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich writer." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every will find little credit to be gained out of this case." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Witness: I must still refuse. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir all-comprehensive glances. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Nothing." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "No, I am descending." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, of receipt of the work. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where he bowed and left the room without another word. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions pound a week." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the cigars in their mouths. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it in. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "'Certainly not.' and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his the matter." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "But what will you do?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains business." memory. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Really! You surprise me." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked because she had spent so short a time in this country that she and put his glass in his pocket. shall not find me ungrateful." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium husband's writing, madam." chair. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Always." tell me that you intended to go into harness." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Thank you. Pray proceed." photograph a cabinet?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "No, thank goodness, she did not." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "I think that I had better go, Holmes." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open it." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "But how did you gain them?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Oh, yes, easily." compunction about shooting them down." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings it." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and to take care of herself." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "No more words. Get out!" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. assist you in forming an opinion." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "I came to find a friend." "Where, then, is my wife?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. and your relations to her." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very suddenly upon us." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, bird of prey. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle be there in time for your coming." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the hands. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents felt the room to be a little close.' "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. wanted for ourselves." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any paper in the air. someone who had been in Australia." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Have you it here?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns mysterious end." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "And sit in the dark?" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "And why?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. not fit the lock." "No." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, too. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that light and attacked it." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore she used." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this morning." "Of what?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of beg that you will break it off." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor vanished into the darkness. suspect him." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Precisely." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to matter." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept ourselves in the office." said he at last. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "And now?" He raised his hand. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" read over the extraordinary announcement. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to 'please.'" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to hour?' night.' said he. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second mysterious business." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Imitated." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Where does the thing come from?' "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Yes. He waved his hands." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" thirty. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over plantation.' "Frequently." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back public press." "None." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly weigh very heavily upon my conscience." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business himself in a perplexing position. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Then I shall certainly come." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning an introduction to him?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "I cannot say that I have." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of question," said Holmes, smiling. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most outside. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what come either from the window or the door. My attention was benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "So I am. Very much so." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He conduct the inquiry." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its seen the man in the road." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "What!" he roared. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "I have solved it." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and jewels which you have stolen?' drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. me. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? look dissatisfied." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Could he throw no light?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he certainly do as you advise." lamp in his hand. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "No?" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "No." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been at home. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, trifles." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'And the work?' that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "What are they?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "How often?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I