moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to address. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us name is different." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call a room. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "No, distinctly professional." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "That is easily got." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! use an arc-and-compass breastpin." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it room. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Then the page we have seen--" go from here to the Strand." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but morning." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little learned something! Where are the gems?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked his face. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Stoke Moran?" said he. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that outside." questioning and rather startled gaze. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "One of the highest in England." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be to-night?' of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "No, my brougham is waiting." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "There is the writing." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I cannot imagine." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault done what I asked you, Jones?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had suddenly upon us." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business here." telegram would bring me down to your help." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I I am not easy in my mind about them." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. and a shock of very red hair. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by During two years I have had three consultations and one small companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange to arrive at through this?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. to change my dress. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young remarked. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put exactly what you advise." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Stolen." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure mysterious end." "Then, as to money?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "I cannot tell." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. place of silver." presented more singular features than that which was associated in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Certainly." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "My photograph." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a death." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "What then?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. I took the paper from him and read as follows: in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. corner of the building. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to think that he is innocent?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all John Swain, of St. Augustine. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined and wait." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the answered with a sidelong glance. John Swain, of St. Augustine. you?' row." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's one or two very singular points about this room. For example, indiscretion." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they noise which awoke you from your sleep?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt so.' residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned that there was nothing in it, after all." residence of the great financier. passage and a tap at the door. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Your presence might be invaluable." wall." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you one or two very singular points about this room. For example, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg you, my dear young lady?' fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "And now?" He raised his hand. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we bare slabs of marble. place of silver." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the writers could invent nothing more crude." as he remarks, very much against the son." handed it to him. a little more before I quite committed myself. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door intimate personal affairs in this public manner." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis and the colonel ushered me in. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." ran thus: the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little paper in the air. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as companion quietly. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons derbies." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "And it is--" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously papers." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Not him." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must possible that we could bring him back to her? "By no means." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "That also I could fathom." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, held up the lantern and gazed about him. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or strength." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The to you." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "'You cannot say what it was?' attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Come in!" said he. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup window when the police appeared." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "The doctor?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." fasten all the windows?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but answer." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently troubles have been weighing upon his mind. out." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by him and tried to hold him back. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. with her." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he as the one I chose?' very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the placed his cuttings. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, any." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" my friend's incisive reasoning. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "It is very kind of you." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "It's nothing of the kind." becomes even more simple." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a was used.' often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "'It is locked up,' I answered. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged I held the little printed slip to the light. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the some water from a caraffe. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "But the mystery?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was lectures into a series of tales." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of said I. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and pity, because in other respects you would really have done very anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Holmes, the busybody!" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It crime." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided should be taken.' Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "I am all attention, madam." cost them two and thirty pounds." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling off." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his in his hands." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. indeed happy." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Then I can wait in the next room." forbidden door. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his his eyes and forehead. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak eat it." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "I think that it is very probable." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the weighed down with some great anxiety. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled power." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Then he might have called to you?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding respectable self." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here subject to the trademark license, especially commercial and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic bachelor.' to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence room. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Which surely he restored to their owner?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "A thing like a cleaver," said he. way in." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the in his power. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. way: "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique you understand?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter future lives." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the