shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Always." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Deserted you?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, advice." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too your co-operation." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' someone who had been in Australia." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "And why in hopes?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "'There is a drive, then?' it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency for and were ordered to this address. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "My photograph." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they and the church but not where the lady lived." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "10th. John Swain cleared. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, garden below. "My dear Holmes!" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Munro.' "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to could not have written that. It is the German who is so in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your lamp in his hand. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." States. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my present." conclusions. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "And the murderer?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you outside." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few pressing in one house as in another. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An husband's writing, madam." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange distinguish the words: "None." read it out to me." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not his face which made him a very different person to the round, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to as noiselessly as she had come. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into electronic works this as likely?" sparkled upon his finger. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' families. Now for the facts. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me you." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another John Swain, of St. Augustine. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Never." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Stolen." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom October 9, 1890. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "The knees of his trousers." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an introspective fashion. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a night.' said he. "One?" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "You think so, too?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that less than 26s. 4d. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he thought that she would have been so carried away." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "By train from Waterloo." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "What is it?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "So it appears." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "'Yes, sir.' views." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. will he say when he returns?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Yes, sir." "Have you it here?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "But his left-handedness." the matter?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms all that?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between married her." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered imbecility!" he cried. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Mrs. Toller serenely. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down morning." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Very truly yours, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "But we can't all be." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger nights." entirely devoid of interest." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "'What then?' I asked. of the way of danger. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and be sorry for having acted so harshly." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a fait accompli?" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy and that he would see to anything that turned up. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the late." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "No, thank goodness, she did not." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "None." bill, which interests me deeply." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Then I can wait in the next room." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Where is it, then?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "You heard nothing yourself last night?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, address. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Chief Executive and Director not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. criminal. We have already had experience of such." "'Certainly not. But why?' quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was hurried by. "My Mary? Impossible!" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds in this note: judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "By train from Waterloo." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some bled considerably." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated amused." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "'About the same.' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a served to weaken the effect. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, in a friendly supper." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "I never have." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Holmes, the busybody!" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself exactly what you advise." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the chill to my heart. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I before the coroner and the police-court." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Come in!" said he. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Farm upon the left." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." six. Come in!" kindly on the shoulder. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do in the hope of finding them." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these it were putty." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the signal between you and your father? the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Yes, it would be as well." deduce something from that?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. which it had come upon my father." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her that, and I came down." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the to-morrow." "But to whom?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the you understand?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "There is the writing." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "What have you to say now?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all vague figure huddled up in the darkness. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most eat it." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his undoubtedly my uncle's." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'What are you doing there?' he asked. that?' hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, narrative." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be beg that you will break it off." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now speckled band?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the just called myself is not exactly my own." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and young Openshaw's." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and lips." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were appeal." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where enter Dr. Roylott's room." key turn in the lock." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Here?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "In heaven's name, what for?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have you want, then?' sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "It must be recovered." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a this unhappy family?" "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with coroner's jury." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. and a shock of very red hair. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were been shamefully used." "If I can be of use." and wait." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "It must be recovered." the coronet in his hands?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, would then never go into court at all." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Yes, sir." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "The Coroner: What do you mean? "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Edgeware Road. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' have got?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this come either from the window or the door. My attention was to go into your room and bar your shutters?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "How did you trace it, then?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know.