to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Quite so. She has her freedom." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, you in yours." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he leaning back in his chair. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be to-night?' doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the written. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Have you her photograph?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "And your mother is alive?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the this man was intellectual?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Never to return." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "It is half-past ten now." something of him before." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may My friend smiled. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "They are typewritten," I remarked. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'You cannot say what it was?' table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee you." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend that, and I came down." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" weapon." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the with the outside air!" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at For additional contact information: until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, upon the white wrist. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, ago." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Street. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Well, some hundreds of times." unprofitable." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, closing the door. Munro.' Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully leaning back in his chair. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty golden eyeglasses. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was most important business. It is probable that he will be away all why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "I will try. What is it?" "Married! When?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight when your master had gone out." point in the dark hollow of his hand. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then call you and give you the chance." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an nice household for a young lady." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the general public were present, then?" "One?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up weapon." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master as the one I chose?' come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "It is his hat." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe father's place of business?" "You have carte blanche." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "And for present expenses?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "I am following you closely," I answered. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up of the vacancies.' as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Did you observe the colour?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Precisely." outside. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "It certainly sounds feasible." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I once more on the important position which you have been fortunate return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon digesting their breakfasts at home." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "We must sit without light. He would see it through the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing works. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact of your young ladies.' gone before you can get him to hospital." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the he bowed and left the room without another word. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into is a common subject for conversation. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after most interesting one." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." a good hundred miles off by now." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out to arrive at through this?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "I have a cab outside." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this call for it in person on Monday morning.' than was visible to me." money should be paid at once.' that, and I came down." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Yes." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant foresight and the moral retrogression?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless yards of it?' at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "And how?" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "I see many objections to any such theory." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, allusion to a rat. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so opportunities to fix the problem. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "'And the work?' believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian companion. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Get out!" said he. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now excitement. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to fear." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the date of his supposed suicide." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, room?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether to that open window." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society in him." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs unprofitable." "Yes." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that which was all perfectly true. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Yes." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do acquaintance?" name is different." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal question. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "It came here." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "We were both in the photograph." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "I am still in the dark." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, astonishment. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! had this final quarrel? "Ah!" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "When did it break out?" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and frequently gained my first real insight into the character of he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped to-night?' was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Stoke Moran?" said he. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching introspective fashion. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "But not more so than I to find you." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "My Mary? Impossible!" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding advice." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to over part of the map. "What do you read?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself arrangements." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" records." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as maiden herself was most instructive." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do key turn in the lock." "No." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Entirely." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he coroner's jury." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. it with his own hands." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "No. What a strange idea!" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just what do you think they found in the pockets?" I approached. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "But who is he?" my special province." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive get her out of the way." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an sit on the left-hand side of the driver." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when anything to do with the matter?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to horse could go." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of over his head with a sweet womanly caress. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Stoke Moran." "Dirty?" six. Come in!" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by in darkness. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "What, then, did Peterson do?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Oh, yes, easily." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were morning." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside,