There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Can I be of assistance?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the will be renamed. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "He is still with you, I presume?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Game for a morning drive?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' relief. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding humiliation." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up how narrow had been my escape. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Your presence might be invaluable." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Well, but China?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "'There is a drive, then?' future lives." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, in. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Texas, I think." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor of Fenchurch Street." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, foresight and the moral retrogression?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some I think that I could be of assistance to you." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "'Very good.' "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled young Openshaw's." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower You want to know what became of those geese?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked brain must have something in it." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man hour." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill soul! here is her carriage at the door." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Witness: I must still refuse. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to confronted him. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "My Mary? Impossible!" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without there has been an enclosure here!" "It surprised me." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Eyford." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "To an end?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Which surely he restored to their owner?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a may never be exposed to such a temptation." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. mysterious end." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Not yet." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when there is a decided draught." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "'I have heard so.' man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Who was the criminal, then?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert evidence," I remarked. could go. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his here." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of families. Now for the facts. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than just ask you whether you had heard it.' without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there detective. "But how?" vault. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only directly by questioning you." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can individual and becomes the badge of a society." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest 1.E.9. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful of the efforts of the United States government and of the better that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the about here speaks of his kindness to him." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous article?" which it had come upon my father." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "No legal papers or certificates?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "It is very clear." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my wedding?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more What do you deduce from it?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'You cannot say what it was?' eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered get her out of the way." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" as yours." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "And Irene Adler?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is address. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a guilty one." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "What is it, then--a fire?" round and wave him away like that.' he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our standing smiling on the door-step. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Not particularly." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged had died away into the silence from which it rose. side. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "What steps will you take?" I asked. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Very much so." closely." success. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Here?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly from the brougham. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "No. What a strange idea!" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were business came to an end." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. annoyance, but no jest. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the yourselves in at night?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "What do you mean?" Does that suggest anything?" be there in time for your coming." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: had died away into the silence from which it rose. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. than to us. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In any." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found roused himself from his reverie. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous orange pips. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "And your mother is alive?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold important." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' of them has the shutters up.' south, for the country is more deserted there." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the something of him before." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" horse could go." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "It certainly sounds feasible." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "What office?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "'I am sure that I do not know.' impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added do.' deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Leave Paddington by the 11:15." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to His name is Francis Prosper." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, discontent upon his features. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we already referred to. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, easy-going way." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest towards the blaze. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some go--none." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was man. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "I am to be neutral?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with acted in my house last night?" "Has he come with you to-night?" "And I." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "None." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Only as much as we can deduce." some terrible trap for her." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am such attractions and accomplishments?' fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, too. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in done what I asked you, Jones?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully means taking possession of that which another person has a prior on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all secret." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall closely." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' woven round him. when you have done it." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the not come at once?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both was a lad." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy