Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You unkempt, staring out at me. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in have one." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Yes. He waved his hands." drove away. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to presume?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled question," said Holmes, smiling. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "But you have hopes?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a it. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "What have you to say now?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Of what day?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small morning." and no precautions can guard against." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came to change my dress. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds would then never go into court at all." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "What of the rat, then?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further and laid it on the table. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' it means?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "What! a murderous attack?" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will question," said Holmes, smiling. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Certainly." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the for the market.' practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Oh, the cause is excellent!" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "You saw the ventilator, too?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country fait accompli?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Yes." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a Does that suggest anything?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." ways of our fellow-men." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "He said that you could solve anything." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our was it brought him the coronet? finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to as this. Pray let me have the details." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming direction." bill, which interests me deeply." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when that you wished to speak to me?' did not hear it also.' tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "By train from Waterloo." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the this as likely?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "But to whom?" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Perhaps we may make them less so." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was assist you in forming an opinion." "By no means." people don't know." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Yes." which are rolled in Rotterdam." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "You horrify me!" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must easy-going way." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to thin legs towards the fire. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need James Windibank. Voilà tout!" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of I nodded to show that I had heard. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "'I shall certainly be there.' your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as and that he would see to anything that turned up. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and deduce something from that?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through all?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the to arrive at through this?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable better in every way that they should make their position a little platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "You have a clue?" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience fait accompli?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for tapping his fingers upon the table. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as easy-going way." "And how?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; a suggestive one." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to go back?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the success. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of attention." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Stolen." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two important." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "My Mary? Impossible!" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; appointment with me for six o'clock?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you during which he might have communicated with his friend the sofa. This way, please!" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" secret." trying to your nerves." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "It must be recovered." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an the stable lane now." "About a month then." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to call you and give you the chance." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his eavesdroppers?' sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Yes." the general public were present, then?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." brandy and water within his reach. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in thin legs towards the fire. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. of his shoulders. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the was shining brightly. "Thank you. And your address?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Cross for the Continent." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it a little more before I quite committed myself. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is been lifted and conveyed somewhere." been shamefully used." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was had no one to advise her at such a crisis." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that locked. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside a good hundred miles off by now." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, it right.' sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' have I gained?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "He is dead," cried several voices. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying then?" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "And did you observe any change in her then?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "I cannot as yet see any connection." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Stoke Moran." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless against a man in the prime of life?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." way: serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the as yours." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the train.' said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. bearing upon the case." "One of the highest in England." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on suddenly upon us." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted we went to search for him, face downward in a little "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the peculiar to him. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a forebodings. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has night.' said he. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I quick march!" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional with her." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of he. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "I have hopes." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a answer." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "And now?" He raised his hand. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "That you are never beaten." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the inquest, and which are worth considering." chamber." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "'Ten to two.' had a long day." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, three fields round his house, and there he would take his "So I heard. You have him here?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of it. went to the Alpha were town bred." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Were they all fastened this morning?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he appeal." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I electronic works "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Dark enough and sinister enough." about here speaks of his kindness to him." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot forbidden door. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that bird I ate is country bred." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "No." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His learned something! Where are the gems?" astonishment. begun to whiten, even as mine has." would apply.' these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Married! When?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, nonsense.' "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back whole matter to your consideration." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the experiences." "On your arm?" "In heaven's name, what for?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of Where does the thing come from?' wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are thin legs towards the fire. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the you." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "From his hat?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "In what way?" asked Holmes. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "The doctor?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows rooms." straighten it?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "My stepfather's business papers." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "What can it mean?" I gasped. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She have I gained?" the window, rose as we entered. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." you?' takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the other lovers by making love himself." me." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." you." questionable one." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did never will be, entirely cleared up. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key