weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "But you have hopes?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Yes, I have one waiting." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Cross for the Continent." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was some city in a dream. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the even so self-evident a thing as that." forecastle of an emigrant ship. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned this remarkable episode. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the station." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from not come at once?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "I assure you that I am in your hands." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." photograph?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "'Entirely.' Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" have established a very serious case against the son of the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. knowledge of the world." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary answer." chance at all." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." results." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as and your relations to her." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by himself. "The best possible." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, to affect your life." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight me where it went to?" "On your arm?" unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and ceremony." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his thirty. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little who was a member of your goose club." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed evidence," I remarked. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "But what harm can there be in that?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that the window, rose as we entered. "I beg pardon." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Yes." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads back to my heart. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "How did you deduce the select?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of awaited us upon the table. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took forebodings. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. constraint." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical but preventing her from injuring another. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Yes, I have one waiting." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured lids now and glanced across at his visitor. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Eyford at 11:15.' authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she you want, then?' method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth to that open window." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper morning." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to strength of mind to control. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the in. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on was shining brightly. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the whole matter to your consideration." Eyford at 11:15.' laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had have I gained?" keep the flames under. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "'Yes, it was gone.' tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. photograph a cabinet?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely strong reason behind." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Will you bet, then?" with some details as to your case." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Frequently." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the case before our client came into the room." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Sutherland?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a long narrative. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a three fields round his house, and there he would take his any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." outbreak?" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "You have a clue?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by society." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great within hail.' memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "'Ample.' reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his meanly of me." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is next day. was it brought him the coronet? stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I criminal. We have already had experience of such." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'I am sure that I do not know.' soul! here is her carriage at the door." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "By all means." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when matter." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Cross for the Continent." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Chief Executive and Director without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home cigars in the box." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Where, then?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Very much so." tapping his fingers upon the table. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The of campaign. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his this Miss Turner." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "But how did you gain them?" hurried by. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "You think that he is dead?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the you." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and we went to search for him, face downward in a little hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. long narrative. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the to tackle the facts." "Yesterday." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, character. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the outsides of the windows. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he so far?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Well?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Pray tell us what has happened to you." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his American. Then who could this American be, and why should he seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some points to suicide?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Then what has happened to him?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is room?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Oh, fresh and glossy." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, him. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Foundation "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Nothing." "I don't believe it." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He is acting for the best. crowd. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after weary and pale-looking. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "On the contrary, this is the right side." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "In answer to an advertisement." gbnewby@pglaf.org years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "No." "Certainly." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "And did you observe any change in her then?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she already referred to. rose-bushes. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, if she died from some sudden fright." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Really! You surprise me." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner think that he is innocent?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the tragedy. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal overpowering excitement and concern. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my there were so many in the whole country as were brought together was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was visitors." the inner apartment." "Perhaps I have." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in