Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. of receipt of the work. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. happened." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press It was close upon four before the door opened, and a beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with off." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Murdered?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. photograph?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary without success. At last the little money which I had saved began days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than locked." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the date of his supposed suicide." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." meanly of me." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. to a light-house. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence four million human beings all jostling each other within the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Will you go?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is already been minutely examined." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "I know where it is." carpenter." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "What then?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the works. See paragraph 1.E below. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would hard-headed British jury." "Absolutely?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes you, my dear young lady?' perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was McCarthy's innocence. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you occurred." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the chambers. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "But what will you do?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and could not account in any way for the presence of the missing ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Then you may entirely rely on me." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has one's self under obligations.' thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you did not hear it also.' direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of at once, for I have only half an hour." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of such person." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of minor matters until to-morrow." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it It may be so in this case, also." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his respectable self." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "It surprised me." the night.' there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew off." bedroom door." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification fire. You quite follow me?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' papers must be those that are destroyed.' used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the something of him before." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary question," said Holmes, smiling. which are rolled in Rotterdam." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "But she will refuse." bell. Holmes whistled. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Then what has happened to him?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you go from here to the Strand." to affect your life." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Yes, certainly." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Leadenhall Street--and--" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the address that was given us in the advertisement. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not be there in time for your coming." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Nothing?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. chambers. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as telegram would bring me down to your help." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." husband's writing, madam." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Holmes rather sternly. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Here?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without photograph?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? returning from some small jollification and was making his way to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Lestrade of Scotland Yard." be best to do. highroad, where all traces were lost. "That was it, sir." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Very truly yours, could go. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of be best to do. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project meant." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some of fine shops and stately business premises that they really for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry The summons was a brief and urgent one. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no heavy and sharp instrument." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to fashion which was peculiar to him. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps to a light-house. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "What!" he roared. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Yes, only one." other, as fresh and trim as possible. shoulder; "he's all right." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Where, indeed?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "I beg pardon." here and I will read it to you: I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "I see many objections to any such theory." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Pray let us have it, for all that." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Holmes' room. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Come in!" said Holmes. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and sake, don't!" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a was once confined in the cab my mission was practically power." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "In San Francisco, a year ago." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are girl said." "What is it, then--a fire?" "'And what salary do you ask?' his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Doctor, of the paper and the date." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced burst out into a roar of laughter. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "'Certainly not. But why?' man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock national property. I was determined that the law should have its intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would clang of the bell. you, my dear young lady?' could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. my special province." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, back alive. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to residence of the great financier. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very outside. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Henry Baker is a member." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a vanished into the darkness. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a papers must be those that are destroyed.' you want, then?' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead roused himself from his reverie. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "The King of Scandinavia." Sutherland?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." the warnings." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were or in danger--" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could posted to-day." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a had this final quarrel? panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt straightened it out again. British peeress.'" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Where does the thing come from?' is acting for the best. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Then, how do you know?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "And help." "How often?" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "You are all wrong." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Why, what do you mean?" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Was he the only applicant?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done lost his Christmas dinner." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by nothing with him." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "None." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "'Certainly not.'