tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was held up the lantern and gazed about him. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "It surprised me." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known things are very often connected not with the larger but with the charged with?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of the very morning of the wedding." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without chair. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Were they all fastened this morning?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was four million human beings all jostling each other within the Farm upon the left." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would at a side door. to a light-house. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We writers could invent nothing more crude." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'Yes, sir.' you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too without a word or a look. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. is now desirous of getting those letters back." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious been anything against him. He had for years been known as a husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the already been minutely examined." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used strength." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a existence." "Then what has happened to him?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the over with notes and figures. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong behind me. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is second." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his the very morning of the wedding." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free will not take me long to tell. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Yesterday." three of the beryls in it, was missing. night.' said he. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled matter." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held experiences." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the me. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, even of instruction." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the ready to-morrow?' the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges soul! here is her carriage at the door." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my lectures into a series of tales." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of prove to be little relation between the different incidents of is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Did he not advertise?" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small that you saw all that I did." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Yes." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, passage and a tap at the door. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his the iron safe, which he closed upon it. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Not yet." eat it." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as kind enough to tell me what I should do." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." and laid it on the table. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Never to return." "Have you her photograph?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "He slept on the premises." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. advice." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "It was an hour's good drive." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you all-comprehensive glances. wanted for ourselves." always that they were such commands as a lady might with chemical work which was so dear to him. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "'In my own bureau.' throat." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "On your arm?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for extraordinary contortions. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried outside. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "It came here." fasten all the windows?" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to not interfere, come what may. You understand?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "What is it?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Two days later this same performance was gone through under have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in there were one or two details which were new to me. But the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Yes, they were peculiar boots." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Where did he live, then?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work your own bird, so if you wish--" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love a room. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. what these perils are?" main points of my analysis." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? the devil!" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad indeed which he could not unravel. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem been deceived." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The third from London." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been remarked. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "You are hungry," I remarked. "I fear not." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was laugh and put his lips to my ear. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of he died? "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. girl said." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "One horse?" interjected Holmes. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a away to you." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being papers diligently of late, have you not?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Farm upon the left." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very light and attacked it." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the hurried away. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "'Never,' said I. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his From what you have told me I think that it is possible that have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, tapping his fingers upon the table. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "But you were on a friendly footing?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. already referred to. fasten all the windows?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet nonsense.' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Perhaps we may make them less so." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the so-precious time, but come!' "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Certainly, madam." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "That is unusual in a young girl." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution children over to America with him, so that I found myself without meant." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A furiously. sneer upon his pale face. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Precisely." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, notes," he said. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the driver. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "I am still in the dark." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily comes from the middle window." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "You know me, then?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Then I can wait in the next room." I shall communicate with you." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered at home. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. with some details as to your case." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we works. See paragraph 1.E below. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this indeed happy." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "She told me to ask you." "They are typewritten," I remarked. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "But you can know nothing of this?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which the Red-headed League." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Certainly." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "No, distinctly professional." fatally injured? With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when had picked up in the wood. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my believe that I should never have any practice at all. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said the Assizes." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." cigars in the box." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which there has been an enclosure here!" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the more terrible than the truth. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he desk. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the mysterious business." passage and a tap at the door. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at my special province." "Was the window open?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Nothing?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly business." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which the one as in the other." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "You are certainly joking, Holmes." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "'What do you call purely nominal?' PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the nothing with him." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project