in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "'I am sure if I had known--' asked. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the thin legs towards the fire. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, someone who had been in Australia." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able opened the door, and slipped through. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "I beg pardon." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a call for it in person on Monday morning.' disappearance of the bride.'" "My Mary? Impossible!" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "You are hungry," I remarked. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" nonsense.' surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little fluttered off among the others. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "You know me, then?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "None." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a for the market.' "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I a good hundred miles off by now." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Do you go out much in society?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an respectable self." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "'Is 4 pounds a week.' with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "'Not at all. I only doubt--' ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Yes." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Perhaps we may make them less so." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. posted to-day." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal one else, I think." "Absolutely none." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for ran thus: it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it opened a pocket-book and took out a note. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "I saw her in conversation with her maid." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell despaired of." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Why, what do you mean?" 11:15.' room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "I should be immensely obliged to you." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I coat-tails." all-comprehensive glances. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature I shall communicate with you." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "But of what society?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, then?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements DISSOLVED. to-night." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper have one." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from http://www.gutenberg.net and all of them with the keenest interest. upon the white wrist. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "In San Francisco, a year ago." respectable self." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I which it had come upon my father." enter Dr. Roylott's room." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "It came here." in his hands." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "On your arm?" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With what I may call a really hard day's work." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by be sorry for having acted so harshly." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be have I gained?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "By train from Waterloo." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, gone. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is me upon any point which I do not make clear." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Where, indeed?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen highly," said Holmes. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Tired-looking or fresh?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Were they all fastened this morning?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' hurried by. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, one else, I think." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his society." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill there!' murdered man." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the iron safe, which he closed upon it. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have the devil!" just ask you whether you had heard it.' eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of in darkness. "I assure you that I am in your hands." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to of the efforts of the United States government and of the better case before our client came into the room." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" events than those which have happened in my own family." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle been deceived." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "By all means." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. when your master had gone out." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking make me his representative both with the servants and with the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in correct than the official force." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it this as likely?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Yes, I have one waiting." again, where I was soon asleep. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying unclasping of his long thin hands. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in tied." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you points to suicide?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my over here." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce some place of shelter and let the county police know what has upon a handsome competence. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Upon what point?" thin legs towards the fire. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking very morning of my second wedding." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "That also I could fathom." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Ample." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." sooner or later she must fall a victim. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his the general public were present, then?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It sparkled upon his finger. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after any." "Where is it, then?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he thin, with a long, sharp nose?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future McCarthy's innocence. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had morning." "Never." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "I am all attention, madam." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "You have the photograph?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in allusion to a rat. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "And on what day did he meet his death?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster thirty. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning any little problem which you may submit to me." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of like that before?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "I am in hopes that she does." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered I nodded again. "And why?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you strong and stiff." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "My stepfather's business papers." dramatic, in fact." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I upon the shelf for the interim." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some in this note: "Get out!" said he. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "What! a murderous attack?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, It may be so in this case, also." I have it here in my museum." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking been shamefully used." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me me upon any point which I do not make clear." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent garden below. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "It is possible." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "That also I could fathom." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be direction." Street. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be salesman. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless instincts rose up against that laugh. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "'And the work?' Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all back to my heart. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was which we had just quitted. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. grasp, he hurried from the room. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "What I expected to see." the general public were present, then?" "Come in!" said Holmes. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow easy-going way." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's with you alone." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events been shamefully used." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness when you have done it." "When did it break out?" "Yes, sir." his face. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive,