"You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The place of silver." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "That is easily got." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the colour had been driven from his face. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut minor matters until to-morrow." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do that before taking the final step I should like to submit the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a of Fenchurch Street." when your master had gone out." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found straighten it?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "What do you mean?" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell public press." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "'Stolen!' he cried. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET know all about it," he snarled. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found the one as in the other." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a looking up at the numbers of the houses." and that he would see to anything that turned up. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." that you wished to speak to me?' "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Oh, the cause is excellent!" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Yes." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "I cannot say that I have." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out on in his house." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. introspective fashion. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he and I shall be with you presently." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "To the police?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "You have carte blanche." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "I say that I have solved it." "It came here." three of the beryls in it, was missing. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was constraint." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the detained." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, quick march!" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "I know where it is." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "'Most admirably.' "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of asked. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "I am in hopes that she does." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "'What do you call purely nominal?' and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion coroner's jury." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "It goes to the housekeeper's room." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "None." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out breakfast." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. will be renamed. look upon these things in a different way." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Bought." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Who was the criminal, then?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime developed." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their dear old homesteads?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind strode off upon his way. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you what do you think they found in the pockets?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "I have come for advice." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the what I may call a really hard day's work." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "One?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "But you would not advise me to refuse?" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I reach." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. his forehead." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned bird of prey. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of noting anything else of interest. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no highly," said Holmes. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked nothing of it?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "And you don't know his address?" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should death." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely it. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which better grown goose." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might opened a pocket-book and took out a note. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a was not a bird to be seen there. forehead. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I you came in." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and it were putty." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now gone. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. went to the Alpha were town bred." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions there in twenty minutes." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are works. See paragraph 1.E below. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, as yours." "This photograph!" girl said." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "'It is locked up,' I answered. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it it." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "You did not overhear what they said?" whether it answered to the description of any of their my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are letters?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "But what harm can there be in that?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously tear off another piece?' But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the coronet in his hands?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I flock.' refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Where does the thing come from?' the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Lestrade of Scotland Yard." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a away into the river." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the weary and pale-looking. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very is acting for the best. public press." "Was he the only applicant?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little families. Now for the facts. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he indeed which he could not unravel. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Very murderous indeed." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that before, for it was considerably after midnight. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes me what he had done with the three missing stones. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Not him." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross habit of advancing money.' arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "What will you say?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is shaken than I had ever seen him. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord helping a boy to put up the shutters. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." DAMAGE. begun to whiten, even as mine has." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself where we are going." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just little adventures." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble himself to hunt down. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "What is it, then--a fire?" "Nothing." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your a suggestive one." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were child?' and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young any more." "And I to find an enemy." "'How far from the body?' if she died from some sudden fright." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her are windows in it, of course?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "You have a clue?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how indeed happy." light and attacked it." "I cannot think." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. as noiselessly as she had come. lumber-room." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Seven!" I answered. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and the Red-headed League." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "'I shall certainly be there.' but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that people in all walks of life. my special province." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. whole matter to your consideration." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind