"Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager really the only notable feature about the thing." "Only as much as we can deduce." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Holmes rather sternly. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Yes." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" have I gained?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic strength in the others." important." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey people in all walks of life. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. done what I asked you, Jones?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study comes from the middle window." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Was your sister dressed?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Upon what point?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "It was a confession," I ejaculated. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "How do you know, then?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: you, my dear young lady?' 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a possible that we could bring him back to her? you." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Not I." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his and shall probably return to London by the evening train." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. despaired of." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 McCarthy." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily thirty. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. go back?" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." if she died from some sudden fright." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had it." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "But his left-handedness." yards of it?' standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "9th. McCauley cleared. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "And leave your case unfinished?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a 1.E.9. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, certainly not very gracious." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told over here." Sholtos." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary interested in these little problems, and since you are good reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "How did he come?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his do." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." I shall continue with my miserable story. fashion which was peculiar to him. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, few hundred pounds.' "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Street. "Certainly, madam." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know horse could go." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I get her out of the way." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets papers." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the running down." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "You think so, too?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter window when the police appeared." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, gigantic client. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards papers diligently of late, have you not?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this constraint." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would some terrible trap for her." me have 200 pounds?' maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "You will not go there first?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that drawing your inferences." despaired of." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "I cannot tell." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." sake, don't!" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we III. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has wedding?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Pray do so." helping a boy to put up the shutters. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. ways of our fellow-men." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." in him." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "You have but to name it." fluttered off among the others. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." evidence," I remarked. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "But the mystery?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the tightly behind him. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "How about poison?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. a good hundred miles off by now." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "None." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Was he the only applicant?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "And Miss Sutherland?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed room. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed of them has the shutters up.' active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Holmes' room. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the indeed which he could not unravel. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a John Swain, of St. Augustine. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a drove away. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Who by?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they miles off. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the you?" "'A dozen yards or so.' but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case about here speaks of his kindness to him." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Yesterday." "And for present expenses?" "My private note-paper." goes." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Bought." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as locked. did not hear it also.' "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses was once confined in the cab my mission was practically shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from stalked out of the room. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that society." upon the sideboard." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to 1.F. to that open window." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. to-night?' weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. happened." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "'Very good.' perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "I was mad--insane." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Never to return." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "No. What a strange idea!" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. guilty parties." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "'And the work?' "No." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for forbidden door. speckled band?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "I will try. What is it?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has point in the dark hollow of his hand. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Well, some hundreds of times." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this had formerly been in part my own. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she all?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and my little problems." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "You know me, then?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever sit on the left-hand side of the driver." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this American. Then who could this American be, and why should he his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear spark where all is dark to me." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is that I can to serve you." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, joking. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Stoke Moran." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous one else, I think." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson him. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her as yours." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." wedding?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Very. But will he see it?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "He said too much." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between confronted him. experiences." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with strode off upon his way. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "We were both in the photograph." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every fact, we may call it conclusive." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Heh?' upon the shelf for the interim." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone union?" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Witness: I must still refuse. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an careless servant girl?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime are, I think, all that we need." said he. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "It certainly sounds feasible." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the a little more before I quite committed myself. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. voice. the dangers which encompass me."