"'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "And your father? Did you tell him?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very I am not easy in my mind about them." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "ARAT," I read. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Very much so." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "And what did you learn from him?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that it. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "But what will you do?" Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Precisely." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Yes. He waved his hands." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "So it appears." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography province." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton chair. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a His name is Francis Prosper." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), to-night's adventure." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Did he not advertise?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Precisely." distinguish the words: "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the him. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Witness: It was. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see question," said Holmes, smiling. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they that you can jump it.' was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is side. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt jewels which you have stolen?' body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Oh, fresh and glossy." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Did he not advertise?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "How did that help you?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few in him." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." returning from some small jollification and was making his way was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of emerged. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this the coronet at all injured?" http://www.gutenberg.net at a side door. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another with you alone." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "It is a murder, then?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. late!' their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his most interesting one." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the could go. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I shag which I had seen upon the previous night. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me call the police, let the police find what they can.' matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I through." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Yes?" annoyance, but no jest. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who people in all walks of life. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting companion imperturbably. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." your bag." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with are, I think, all that we need." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an man. I know him from the photograph." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the his face which made him a very different person to the round, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. introspective fashion. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. this man was intellectual?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of arrangements." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my to-night?' are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else question," said Holmes, smiling. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "My last client of the sort was a king." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or are windows in it, of course?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." it." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project from the brougham. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive right! Sit down and let us talk it over." interests were the same as his." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Whose house is it?" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "So I am. Very much so." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "They are typewritten," I remarked. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "What then?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "What! a murderous attack?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "It is a murder, then?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "On the contrary, this is the right side." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and other lovers by making love himself." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Mary, has deserted me." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a villagers almost as much as their master. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Oh, fresh and glossy." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am to me. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually good-night and bustled off upon her way. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Where did he live, then?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Nothing." the Red-headed League." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Dr. Gregory B. Newby orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as your equipment. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "What do you make of that, Watson?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for page at http://pglaf.org of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil My friend smiled. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all written, and locked the door of the office after me. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Where did you address your letters, then?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "The doctor?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is was shining brightly. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your article?" which we had just quitted. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "I cannot imagine." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others presented which may be striking and bizarre without being feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "And why?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside DAMAGE. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "No, I am descending." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other his face which made him a very different person to the round, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and presume?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." compunction about shooting them down." Holmes' room. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is guilty one." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her national property. I was determined that the law should have its down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a works. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an chair. individual and becomes the badge of a society." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "One horse?" interjected Holmes. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few his fortune, and I went back to pa. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It tail." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than gentleman's clothes. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "But what is it you wish?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Certainly." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you figure." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Really! You surprise me." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." before, for it was considerably after midnight. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Perfectly so." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the good for you to do.' works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "And what did you see?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else down. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Entirely." goes." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "I should be immensely obliged to you." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "'Never.' electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in is worth.' her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "A thing like a cleaver," said he. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Was your sister dressed?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "And you thought he was pulled back?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had money should be paid at once.' alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right letters?" drawing your inferences." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "My last client of the sort was a king." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. distinguish the words: usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a was a perfect sample of the class. "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" astonishment. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It cigar and let me expound." "Where, then, is my wife?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "I cannot tell." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Upon what point?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the I took the paper from him and read as follows: It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "No, I think that I'll take it." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Ha! you find it so?" in my life." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the companion quietly. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm his knees, staring into the fire. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were ourselves in the office." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." business matters.' "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to your only hope of safety." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and again on its way. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the where we are going." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, laugh and put his lips to my ear. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon you." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which