where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Was she in good spirits?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Was there a secret marriage?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "By no means." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep it." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety IS sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "I will get her to show me." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Here?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Yes." "Then I can wait in the next room." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Count Von Kramm." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Quite so. She has her freedom." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Here?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "No, but the enclosure is." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it infinite languor in his face. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding and files of the old papers, following the future career of every of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Yes." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Very well, sir. And this stone?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." gives a meaning to it." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the upon an income of about 60 pounds." there was no need for father to know." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Here?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my must compliment you." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. me." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible careless servant girl?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a help us in this matter." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small one which it was hard to resist. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped fire. You quite follow me?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Seven!" I answered. "Nearly eleven." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over wanted for ourselves." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can some city in a dream. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece placed his cuttings. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "He disappeared so suddenly." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw all that?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I take the flies, but not before." generous with you in money matters.' "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had and I shall be with you presently." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "My photograph." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on friend's singular character. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. envelope. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing residence of the great financier. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from congenial hunt. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "It is very clear." read over the extraordinary announcement. "Then you may be so with me." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their the very morning of the wedding." coroner's jury." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told children over to America with him, so that I found myself without been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. occurred." think you a quite exceptional woman." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off as noiselessly as she had come. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed about here speaks of his kindness to him." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "And on what day did he meet his death?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "'A dozen yards or so.' inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical was a loud and authoritative tap. envelope. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Have you her photograph?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "'Yes.' grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was I think that I could be of assistance to you." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is foresight and the moral retrogression?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do fluttered off among the others. advice." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was photograph?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Well, some hundreds of times." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "My stepfather's business papers." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Yes." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "No." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to legal crime." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and young Openshaw's." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any people don't know." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "In the cells." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "You think that he is dead?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Leave Paddington by the 11:15." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the warnings." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of bled considerably." chair. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "But to whom?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in one else, I think." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of long narrative. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "What is it?" lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Then, how do you know?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after searched, without anything being found which could incriminate me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "You heard nothing yourself last night?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the himself to hunt down. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The a very grave face. bird of prey. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "What, then?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Nothing." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Nothing?" "What, then?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four again on its way. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "The decline of his fortunes, then?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not questioning and rather startled gaze. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at handed it to him. Gutenberg-tm License. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, telegram would bring me down to your help." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by against a man in the prime of life?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "I should like to see him very much." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "I have solved it." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." client, rising. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "But you were on a friendly footing?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm past. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, matters immensely." "You are hungry," I remarked. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be his huge brown hands. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long III. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "That is not always so easy." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "No." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a know that the truth is known." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me to have that photograph." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his sake, don't!" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Deserted you?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "You know me, then?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Chief Executive and Director lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, 1.E.9. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the ago." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Stoke Moran?" said he. off." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "I am still in the dark." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds in this note: bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was one or two very singular points about this room. For example, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "The Coroner: What do you mean? secret." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in and your relations to her." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in of your young ladies.' unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Ample." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed are, and they are waiting for us." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "'I am sure that I do not know.' orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my trying to your nerves." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Of Friday, June 19th." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "You have the photograph?" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have