distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want on re-entering her father's house?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which fait accompli?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Then I am your man." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. my room." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' gentleman's clothes. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a hardly wander." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. said I. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." amused." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "ARAT," I read. "'It is locked up,' I answered. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Stoke Moran." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the certainly do as you advise." she to prove their authenticity?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure are windows in it, of course?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very imbecility!" he cried. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what your own bird, so if you wish--" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the room while you explain this matter?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the get the tickets." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH comes from the middle window." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "What, then, did Peterson do?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had there has been an enclosure here!" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "In San Francisco, a year ago." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal unprofitable." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one cup of tea. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide whatever might befall. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Your French gold?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." posted to-day." followed. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "The vanishing of the lady." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Certainly." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "It is possible." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I wanted for ourselves." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." not fit the lock." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges think, you have already met." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "The doctor?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. remarked. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the any more." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "But how could you guess what the motive was?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some strong reason behind." "Always." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to been lifted and conveyed somewhere." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I cigar and let me expound." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Well." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we of them has the shutters up.' Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man and the whole place is in a blaze." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "And you thought he was pulled back?" to-night?" I asked. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "I am to be neutral?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by back to my heart. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "At the wedding breakfast." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Of Friday, June 19th." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "And Miss Sutherland?" garden below. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were ourselves in the office." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg bell. Holmes whistled. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my there has been an enclosure here!" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. cost them two and thirty pounds." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "That sounds a little paradoxical." "And Irene Adler?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Nothing." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own business at Coburg Square is serious." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, existence." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Your sister is dead, then?" "Yes." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel even of instruction." humiliation." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the instituted." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a advice." "And the cigar-holder?" way in everything. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "No, I think that I'll take it." the matter?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "But how did you gain them?" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" His smile broadened. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "'Stolen!' he cried. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "It may not come to that," said Holmes. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before possible that we could bring him back to her? thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "One of the highest in England." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present my secret was safe in his possession. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." felt the room to be a little close.' garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Sholtos." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I posted to-day." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the is worth.' "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has or other trace. But how on earth--" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get himself. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." have had none more fantastic than this." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to your most interesting statement." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always point in the dark hollow of his hand. crackling voice. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down nonsense.' harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a from you?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without disturbance in my wife." meant it for the best. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "'About the same.' his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them you found me to-night--and running through the front room she said he. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My becomes even more simple." will not take me long to tell. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek clang of the bell. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled bare slabs of marble. "And what then?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to any." the room while you explain this matter?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence showing my impatience. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else disturbance in my wife." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias arrested. You then--" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Sholtos." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster approach us with offers to donate. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line highroad, where all traces were lost. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his both be extremely obliged.' "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the room?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Why did you beat the pavement?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, indiscretion." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first exactly what you advise." lamp. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" awaited us upon the table. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback read over the extraordinary announcement. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to himself to hunt down. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, have got?" "So I heard. You have him here?" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he you want, then?' girl said." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I do." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of derbies." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "It must be recovered." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." was a loud and authoritative tap. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it there were one or two details which were new to me. But the questionable one." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence ashen face. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a this unhappy family?" than was visible to me." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was not within a twentieth part of the market price." people in all walks of life. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his