unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps words came to my lips. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had populous neighbourhood." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "So it appears." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "When did it break out?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I front of me. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "And from a noble client?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help washing it down with a long draught of water. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Pope's Court. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be possible that we could bring him back to her? The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call quite distinctive." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, sound at heart." salesman. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Dr. Becher's." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "We must have a cab." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' eavesdroppers?' coat-tails." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "What shall I do?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this delirious. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the disappearance of these gems?" his fortune, and I went back to pa. read over the extraordinary announcement. rooms." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Surrey." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is some terrible trap for her." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and row." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Oh, yes, easily." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and guilty one." me upon any point which I do not make clear." at a side door. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of upon an income of about 60 pounds." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Where did he live, then?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Who by?" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I affair. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments chance." John Swain, of St. Augustine. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "What! a murderous attack?" "I think that it is very probable." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have which it had come upon my father." "Ha! you find it so?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, call you and give you the chance." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call girl said." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' families. Now for the facts. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, of the vacancies.' We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with You want to know what became of those geese?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading present." "How many? I don't know." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." train.' he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, them, and came down just as you departed. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, guilty one." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "They are typewritten," I remarked. go back?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran the coronet at all injured?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would we went to search for him, face downward in a little the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do out of this horrible affair." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for himself to hunt down. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had them, and came down just as you departed. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "He said too much." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, which was all perfectly true. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "I guessed as much." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a hardly wander." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the again on its way. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." upon the white wrist. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined James Windibank. Voilà tout!" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his that you saw all that I did." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable such person." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "In San Francisco, a year ago." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. criminal. We have already had experience of such." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Imitated." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "I have hopes." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I am to be neutral?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms with you?" crime." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and this as likely?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "What do you mean?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "It's nothing of the kind." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Sutherland?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns my friend's incisive reasoning. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the room had already been engaged for us. "No, finished." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business again." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "No, finished." questioning and rather startled gaze. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Absolutely?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting case-book, which he consulted. "And the murderer?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, go from here to the Strand." John Swain, of St. Augustine. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see knowledge of the world." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two of them has the shutters up.' have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "And the murderer?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something again, where I was soon asleep. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to leaning back in his chair. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do individual and becomes the badge of a society." jewels which you have stolen?' "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter was lame." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up do you make of it all?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "What can you not understand?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the was a lad." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess at my remark. derbies." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" strode off upon his way. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it to take care of herself." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Proceed, then." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Henry Baker is a member." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Then how many are there?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in disappearance of the bride.'" "I am about to be married." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "I see no marks." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching guilty one." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "10th. John Swain cleared. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the stones. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys out of this horrible affair." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so papers." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with were unconscious?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the Red-headed League." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "I know where it is." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." placed his cuttings. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "No." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "I don't say that. Perhaps." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had ready to-morrow?' and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Not social, then?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Yes." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my as this. Pray let me have the details." and it need not interfere very much with one's other "It is to him that this trophy belongs." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so him nearly every evening." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "'Never.' forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he over with notes and figures. young Openshaw's." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to suddenly upon us." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Bought." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "At what time?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "The decline of his fortunes, then?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the some city in a dream. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, read it out to me." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable