rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "No, I had a dozen." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from looking up at the numbers of the houses." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "But what harm can there be in that?" look upon these things in a different way." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "'Where could I find him?' "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich less than 26s. 4d. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a call it cruel." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and is so. I know all about McCarthy." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper he died? forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the outside. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, all?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "What is it?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "That was it, sir." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four completely overtopped every other consideration that we both eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Is he quiet?" Munro.' It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a this Miss Turner." the ceiling. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "I say that I have solved it." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." straighten it?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a populous neighbourhood." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, man. I know him from the photograph." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open trying to your nerves." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "And Irene Adler?" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Ample." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "And your father? Did you tell him?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. there was no need for father to know." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Here?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of call it cruel." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the wedding?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, appeared upon the scene." than to us. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more society." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "But how will you look?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "'Why that?' I asks. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet envelope. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "I am about to be married." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the minor matters until to-morrow." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Never to return." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "To ruin me." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and shoulder. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had present." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "So it appears." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "That is not always so easy." fatally injured? my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "They are typewritten," I remarked. it. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked away in different directions, and I went off to make my own resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, too. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "And your mother is alive?" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "You are hungry," I remarked. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "No legal papers or certificates?" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "The best possible." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his singular points about the case. What did the police think of the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his crime. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening rose-bushes. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty think you a quite exceptional woman." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at relief. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Mary, has deserted me." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "That's no good." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship union?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a matters immensely." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such breakfast." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "And how in the world did you find them?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would there in twenty minutes." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Where, indeed?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must could not account in any way for the presence of the missing too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Heh?' "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" any." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw a room. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each It may be so in this case, also." "Where is it, then?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when never to learn it at all." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "'I have heard so.' after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, the dangers which encompass me." Serpentine Avenue. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the I nodded to show that I had heard. had died away into the silence from which it rose. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years very old mansion. "The murder was done with it." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be been able to understand it, in a very few words. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." occurred." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "'What, the red-headed man?' probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every to a light-house. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money conversation I have gathered that they have been married about stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the you came in." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, people don't know." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "A confidential servant?" money should be paid at once.' could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Miss Holder?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "'What are you doing there?' he asked. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. joking. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "'What would be the hours?' I asked. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. sneer upon his pale face. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "And you can do nothing until then?" a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "My photograph." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his them present such singular features as the strange train of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose me where it went to?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and the running down." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes digesting their breakfasts at home." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper prison!" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running asked with his eyes open. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "But the mystery?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "But what harm can there be in that?" "Where, then, is my wife?" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "'A dozen yards or so.' then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Leadenhall Street--and--" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to you give your casting vote to?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel dear old homesteads?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Yes." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "And why?" imbecility!" he cried. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. constraint." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Yes, it would be as well." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned pictures, libraries, or plate. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little most important business. It is probable that he will be away all 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I II. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "On your arm?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the during which he might have communicated with his friend the Sutherland. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the problems help me to do so." this poor creature." ago." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague things are very often connected not with the larger but with the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "What I expected to see." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "You have a clue?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "'Where to?' "Well, some hundreds of times." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side read over the extraordinary announcement. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, locked. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I business." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me mysterious end." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "If I can be of use." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the room while you explain this matter?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the again." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "What, then, did Peterson do?" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "It surprised me." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when away in different directions, and I went off to make my own your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land official police." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." fashion which was peculiar to him. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a morning." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which bonnet, and went out." fluttered off among the others. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "But how?" never to learn it at all." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." good for you to do.' veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel house for five minutes.' whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "And did you observe any change in her then?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment into the bag, and made for the door. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "What shall I do?" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "It looks newer than the other things?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "No more words. Get out!" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would congenial hunt. "This photograph!" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know your co-operation." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes.