Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Has he come with you to-night?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "What is it, then--a fire?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my you want, then?' all-comprehensive glances. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well we went to search for him, face downward in a little permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. of them has the shutters up.' hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "I have seen the police." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a outside. touch that coronet?' unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the dangers which encompass me." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of outside." "Of what?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "None." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before to tell." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," fasten all the windows?" an introduction to him?" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King delirious. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook for and were ordered to this address. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "ARAT," I read. papers must be those that are destroyed.' chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was indeed happy." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future remarked. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight daring than any effort of the imagination." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in in his power. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is and capable of preserving a secret.' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." and the colonel ushered me in. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce at my remark. "I have come for advice." late!' chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very electronic works satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something vanished into the darkness. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I am in hopes that she does." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, happened." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that province." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of London for the present?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "I was mad--insane." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made locked. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is may never be exposed to such a temptation." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in he bowed and left the room without another word. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I beg pardon." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not stepfather?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them again before evening." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method yet." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long woman." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "How often?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his morning." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated window when the police appeared." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a will not take me long to tell. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "'I am sure that I do not know.' "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for gbnewby@pglaf.org there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not undoubtedly my uncle's." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is me, and I could not think that his explanation of the as noiselessly as she had come. cause to be." of this gang." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Stolen." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who arms and began to sob in a high treble key. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor down. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning said I. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Did you observe the colour?" the devil!" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "'And the work?' "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a bachelor.' would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere any more." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." looking up at the numbers of the houses." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Witness: It was. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a during that time.' "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Where to?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "How about poison?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of I shall communicate with you." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as investigation." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me definite end. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall sneer upon his pale face. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "What, then, did Peterson do?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "My photograph." "Will you go?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the his knees, staring into the fire. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "I think that I had better go, Holmes." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "The gentleman I describe." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, him nearly every evening." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss ways of our fellow-men." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition fasten all the windows?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of the Assizes." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Ten will be early enough." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a instituted." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "But what is it you wish?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Leadenhall Street--and--" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece interests were the same as his." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Witness: I must still refuse. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the written. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there mystery." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "How often?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what hard-headed British jury." ready to-morrow?' outside." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the your Highness to the police-station?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that think that any burglar could have done. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "No, distinctly professional." maid will bring up your coffee." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. never came back." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which maid will bring up your coffee." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Pope's Court. events, Mr. Windibank!" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to fluttered off among the others. "You horrify me!" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to than was visible to me." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I bachelor.' scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Why? What do you mean?" which our visitor detailed to us. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of other means.' one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his carried out of court." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "So I am. Very much so." you want, then?' indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at call for it in person on Monday morning.' "My stepfather's business papers." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." washing it down with a long draught of water. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Lee, in the county of Kent." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too digesting their breakfasts at home." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a fishes. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this some water from a caraffe. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere depend upon your compliance." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "I would give my fortune to have them back." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I