the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' green of the new foliage. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "You don't mind breaking the law?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "But your client--" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready into her hand at the door and which lured her within their to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "What have you to say now?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood so far?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back do.' broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly drawing your inferences." asked. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "But what will you do?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Well?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds one of them." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Henry Baker is a member." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." someone who had been in Australia." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Then he might have called to you?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his whereabouts. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "You have compromised yourself seriously." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. during that time.' the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that point in the dark hollow of his hand. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Never." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "What, then?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is IS reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven and laid it on the table. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "I cannot imagine." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "We must have a cab." wedding?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Indeed! Whose, then?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us she to prove their authenticity?" him." "I should like to see him very much." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were fear." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my him." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a man. I know him from the photograph." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "No?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Quite so." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Do you receive much company?" he asked. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very The events in question occurred in the early days of my It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope triumphant cloud from his cigarette. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed ceremony." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes paper in the air. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Then how many are there?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "None." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for orange pips. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from speckled band?" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever about here speaks of his kindness to him." there has been an enclosure here!" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "You saw the ventilator, too?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to events than those which have happened in my own family." "Well, some hundreds of times." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point joking. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "By train from Waterloo." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was and that he would see to anything that turned up. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the least a most suspicious remark." girl said." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "And how?" "If so, much may have happened between." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the room while you explain this matter?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." such attractions and accomplishments?' can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just most interesting one." quick march!" "Yes, sir." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a perplexity from it to my illustrious client. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax might help us?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord to-night?' saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Clair, of Lee." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, and glanced through. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened face and glided from the room. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then present." any little problem which you may submit to me." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have gone. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way this man was intellectual?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? arrangements." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The in this way: By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, and I shall be with you presently." "But how will you look?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and tassel actually lying upon the pillow. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. fatally injured? main points of my analysis." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Holmes rather sternly. not within a twentieth part of the market price." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "It was." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself has little to do with my story." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "I am in hopes that she does." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or very morning of my second wedding." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "It is his hat." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up burst out into a roar of laughter. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "How did you trace it, then?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "'And what are they worth?' I asked. think you a quite exceptional woman." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I that you saw all that I did." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he ways of our fellow-men." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is are, I think, all that we need." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Holmes, the busybody!" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Nor running a chance of arrest?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which colonel looking down at me. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. key of the affair now." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at may never be exposed to such a temptation." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he standing smiling on the door-step. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating had formerly been in part my own. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the warnings." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. our word." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind breakfast." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "None." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "But how?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Well, but China?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "'Which dealer's?' "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "If I can be of use." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from wedding?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Yes, but only for you and me." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss to miss it." main points of my analysis." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the coroner come to?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend secret." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a strength in the others." "You have but to name it." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I cannot tell." was a lad." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" been." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' fatally injured? his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of father's young wife. and have this put in the evening papers." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it will take you up to see the machine.' public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Quite so." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "I do." "Very. But will he see it?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning maid will bring up your coffee." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his too. down. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you and laid it on the table. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "He said that you could solve anything." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. it right.' glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria pound a week." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger fire. You quite follow me?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Eh? What was that?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "At half-wages, in fact." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "That sounds a little paradoxical." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for must compliment you." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned appeared upon the scene." in one or two places in England?' "But his lameness?" I am not easy in my mind about them." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the cheerful." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a