"His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he to-night." "10th. John Swain cleared. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Pope's Court. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. problems help me to do so." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. all?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." beg that you will break it off." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and her also." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Pray tell us what has happened to you." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "How often?" "He said too much." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "By all means." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "What are they?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Sutherland?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "I do." heavily into it. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to three of the beryls in it, was missing. "And why in hopes?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two than was visible to me." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt gone. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk sentimental considerations in the background which would induce peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air writer." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to him and tried to hold him back. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Nothing." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" question," said Holmes, smiling. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By morning." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of fattened it expressly for you.' these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself was a loud and authoritative tap. them?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your outside." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "My stepfather's business papers." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "By train from Waterloo." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in said he at last. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "And leave your case unfinished?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even we went to search for him, face downward in a little machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was you in yours." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own threw himself down with his face to the pillow. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Which surely he restored to their owner?" lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at him. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "On the contrary, this is the right side." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock very old mansion. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions place, I think that there is good ground to think that the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Foundation had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, there!' you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Then I am your man." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed prison!" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house any more." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Has he come with you to-night?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I and the colonel ushered me in. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those details." was it brought him the coronet? like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. green of the new foliage. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" second window is the one that I jumped from." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four nonsense.' dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "How did that help you?" him and tried to hold him back. "Yes." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich power." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, your most interesting statement." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Yesterday." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "What will you say?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood pound a week." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in my little problems." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and the nursery. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "We were both in the photograph." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "That was it, sir." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. writing, and yet I know it well." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Holmes." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "'Yes, I promise.' "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done letters?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it your Highness to the police-station?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Sutherland. outside. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, if I call to-morrow?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" bare slabs of marble. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it whereabouts. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King system of imprisonment?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there 'please.'" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "'Yes, sir.' instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" mysterious business." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. stood on the top of it. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "If so, much may have happened between." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, as this. Pray let me have the details." "Here?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway his cane at the bell-pull. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "The murder was done with it." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, shall not find me ungrateful." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." wife's character?" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Come in!" said he. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of to miss it." Count Von Kramm." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. one of them." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "By all means." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week photograph a cabinet?" definite end. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "I should be immensely obliged to you." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he ago." over with notes and figures. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the redistribution. "What shall I do?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "But what harm can there be in that?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very easy-going way." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Nothing?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "How about poison?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter directly by questioning you." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" until night should bring an explanation. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "But what will you do?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white sufficient punishment." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Pray continue your narrative." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "They are typewritten," I remarked. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." do.' which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the the stones. instincts rose up against that laugh. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "No." Sholtos." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "'I am sure that I do not know.' "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the manager. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Nothing." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "'I have already given you my word.' call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the is worth.' my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! and prosperity to your house. Good-night." to me. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Do you go out much in society?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works affair. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended page at http://pglaf.org "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "I see no marks." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling past. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." case before our client came into the room." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you for and were ordered to this address. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one