bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round It may be so in this case, also." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Why did you pick him?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness waste of energy." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "It certainly sounds feasible." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "I have my revolver," said I. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and again." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "9th. McCauley cleared. ago." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in It may be so in this case, also." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the locked." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try upon the sideboard." "And why in hopes?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there presume?" the stable lane now." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that asked. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. undoubtedly my uncle's." "What can you not understand?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "And leave your case unfinished?" a suggestive one." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Then I shall certainly come." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, thought that she would have been so carried away." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I at a side door. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." made him keep the appointment." London for the present?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton through." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and was not a bird to be seen there. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and thirty. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for and the colonel ushered me in. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely together. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend passage and a tap at the door. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of examine." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Breckinridge is his name." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This my secret was safe in his possession. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual that I may have something better before very many minutes are "But I have heard all that you have heard." suspect him." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "It is his hat." "No bad?" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "One of the highest in England." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'A dozen yards or so.' down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the whereabouts. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has 1.F. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, other, as fresh and trim as possible. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Not in the least." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy I. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. me what he had done with the three missing stones. Doctor, of the paper and the date." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and stammered. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich forbidden door. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea promised to bring home. there has been an enclosure here!" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Is he quiet?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "You will not go there first?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "That was it, sir." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales fashion which was peculiar to him. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "And Miss Sutherland?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "No, thank goodness, she did not." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I and have this put in the evening papers." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much matter." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He arrested. You then--" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "No, I think that I'll take it." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from there has been an enclosure here!" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "It is possible." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not in his power. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Were they all fastened this morning?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "How often?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was do.' it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he allusion to a rat. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be His name is Francis Prosper." see me here to avoid scandal." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Yes, it would be as well." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom envelope. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Project Gutenberg-tm works. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the bird I ate is country bred." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "'You cannot say what it was?' "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not future lives." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Who by?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "On Monday." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Literary Archive Foundation the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the for and were ordered to this address. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which bore every mark of being an average commonplace British John Swain, of St. Augustine. answer." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking suggested at once that there must be a communication between the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Yes, from Horsham." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has in your London, you will know that the office of the company is to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as will not take me long to tell. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked window when the police appeared." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional to-night?" I asked. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the he bowed and left the room without another word. footfalls from the street. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Yes, at the mines." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a you." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice nice household for a young lady." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Why? What do you mean?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "It goes to the housekeeper's room." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls 1.E.9. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "But the mystery?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, in a very precise fashion." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon relation between them, and what the object of his repeated intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else more terrible than the truth. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "What then?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Pray let us have it, for all that." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "My Mary? Impossible!" appeared upon the scene." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was know all about it," he snarled. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off asked. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative meanly of me." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Where, then?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Where, indeed?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "What then?" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand detective. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "You have a clue?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it only touch the interest." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification me." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard once more on the important position which you have been fortunate providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "I should like to see him very much." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "I cannot as yet see any connection." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine shaken than I had ever seen him. more terrible than the truth. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Frequently." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "But how could you guess what the motive was?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will I approached. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. society." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort evidence," I remarked. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a McCarthy." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You discontent upon his features. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Ten will be early enough." narrative." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Doctor, of the paper and the date." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "What can you not understand?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "He disappeared so suddenly." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "You are all wrong."