firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for and effective." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg least a fellow-countryman. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can himself in a perplexing position. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to distinguish the words: detective. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' carpenter." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in letters?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "And why in hopes?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted what these perils are?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the child?' my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the general public were present, then?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Who was the criminal, then?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" asked. ventilator." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion gone. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I have come for advice." bird I ate is country bred." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," During two years I have had three consultations and one small End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever secret." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Well, it is a possible supposition." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the light and attacked it." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' burst into a hearty fit of laughter. which it had come upon my father." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which disappearance of the bride.'" "Look there!" said he. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I do." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, in the port of London." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we night.' said he. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Ha! you find it so?" "And what did you see?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the my special province." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "And you can do nothing until then?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Arthur Conan Doyle "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the purpose equally well?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon matter." "How did you deduce the select?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' rat could hardly pass through." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Young McCarthy must be got off, however." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have off." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Have you her photograph?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Who by?" "You were travelling in the States?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "It is solved." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "I was mad--insane." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less business came to an end." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. business in the City. She little knew what. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew sneer upon his pale face. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Tired-looking or fresh?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "But what is it you wish?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, just called myself is not exactly my own." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "And how have you succeeded?" the ceiling. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." danger is over." that you wished to speak to me?' "Deserted you?" "No, distinctly professional." to tackle the facts." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys populous neighbourhood." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that The King stared at him in amazement. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the sound at heart." Countess of Morcar's?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "At the wedding breakfast." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his there!' himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still my secret was safe in his possession. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "You horrify me." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came been." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. gone before you can get him to hospital." already referred to. "I will get her to show me." congratulate you again." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the prisoner's face. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "No, I had a dozen." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, do you make of it all?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "But how did you gain them?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which do.' "Game for a morning drive?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I woven round him. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me weighed down with some great anxiety. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey conversation I have gathered that they have been married about companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many stammered. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive nonsense.' headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Holmes' thin, eager face. business came to an end." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as it." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a good-night and bustled off upon her way. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate there were one or two details which were new to me. But the events than those which have happened in my own family." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project vault. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles into the bag, and made for the door. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two rose-bushes. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire a suggestive one." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "But you were on a friendly footing?" nights." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. a suggestive one." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled It may be so in this case, also." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My his face. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "That is not always so easy." awaited us upon the table. whatever might befall. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so past. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "I cannot imagine." my special province." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the that I am arrested." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that nonsense.' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, annoyance, but no jest. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon him to be an active member of the medical profession." out of this horrible affair." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "But of what society?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Deserted you?" tear off another piece?' "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "I have my revolver," said I. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Was there a secret marriage?" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable British peeress.'" of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" affair. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "And how?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Then you may entirely rely on me." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Stoke Moran." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were views." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the with you alone." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg this poor creature." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and crime." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a if she died from some sudden fright." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely better grown goose."