of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "'Certainly,' I answered. in one or two places in England?' comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not in this way: are windows in it, of course?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City the nursery. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than hereditary King of Bohemia." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Yes, sir." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a his forehead." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Imitated." key of the affair now." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at opportunities to fix the problem. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our could not account in any way for the presence of the missing even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name relation between them, and what the object of his repeated what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two dramatic, in fact." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the wedding?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. you." "But what harm can there be in that?" you for a few hours?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me 11:15.' "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after of receipt of the work. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of begin with, and I had not got mine yet." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Why did you pick him?" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she society." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than sake, don't!" "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I don't say that. Perhaps." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of did not hear it also.' "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Come in!" said Holmes. presume?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "What do you make of that, Watson?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "My private note-paper." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "You saw the ventilator, too?" notes," he said. that you wished to speak to me?' Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door closely." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by key of the affair now." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for upon the shelf for the interim." morning." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "'Certainly,' I answered. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. fattened it expressly for you.' that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, past. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "But how did you gain them?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "And how did he make his money?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with memory. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Just look it up, then." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I I took the paper from him and read as follows: "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case gone. the bed, and you in that chair." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "And Miss Sutherland?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael returned to France?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "I am to be neutral?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, noble correspondent could be. friends, not even his own brother. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They at home. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Then he might have called to you?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to done what I asked you, Jones?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "You saw the ventilator, too?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the one as in the other." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with his fortune, and I went back to pa. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without address. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush quite distinctive." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have suddenly upon us." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "My Mary? Impossible!" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when you came in." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered singular points about the case. What did the police think of the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door putting in the horse. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave father's young wife. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you companion. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone companion. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. nonsense.' "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in in this note: he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "And leave your case unfinished?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the it." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body is four-and-twenty." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "I should like to see him very much." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Very murderous indeed." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Look there!" said he. the King without delay." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "But how will you look?" a room. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting it? Did I buy the geese off you?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." weary and pale-looking. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The burst out into a roar of laughter. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Thank you. Pray proceed." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Did your wife hear all this?" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "No." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case papers diligently of late, have you not?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "One of the highest in England." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great said he. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital companion. Henry Baker is a member." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Yes, all." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can appointment with me for six o'clock?" "I cannot say that I have." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Where, then?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a detained." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "'A dozen yards or so.' "What of the rat, then?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, shall use the carriage to-night." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think out." "My dear Holmes!" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss fatally injured? "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Bought." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "But he might be a bachelor." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the Assizes." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven my friend's incisive reasoning. "I came to find a friend." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "But how?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange me. You must get home instantly and act." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "That is it on the dressing-table." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "But she will refuse." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round directors, with the result that you have seen." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a of the vacancies.' twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another used to be." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't this as likely?" go from here to the Strand." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Yes." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom depend upon my doing so.' anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. reach." Holmes' room. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Ah!" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was works. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated had a long day." "Ample." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted not come at once?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Yes." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" your bag." "Always." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "'Which dealer's?' calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held and that he would see to anything that turned up. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" out of this horrible affair." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable excitement. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses which should have the effect of calling the attention of the the south-west, I see." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "When did she vanish, then?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her