stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and felt the room to be a little close.' "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at done what I asked you, Jones?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I You want to know what became of those geese?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with man. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. leaning back in his chair. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much depend upon your compliance." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel goes." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "That is it on the dressing-table." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a their singular warning or token before them when starting upon article?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." stalked out of the room. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a and have this put in the evening papers." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Yes. He waved his hands." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has already referred to. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return notes," he said. "Not yet." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that absolutely follow my advice in every respect." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up within hail.' town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. manager. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my followed. himself in a perplexing position. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "On Monday." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to to surprise her." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we least a fellow-countryman. "And help." too. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" go from here to the Strand." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel bearing upon the case." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "And now?" He raised his hand. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, congratulate you again." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first to me. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Holmes rather sternly. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "This photograph!" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" advice." make me his representative both with the servants and with the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "In which, sir?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with reach." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Nor running a chance of arrest?" and all of them with the keenest interest. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'Tell me all about it,' said I. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, experiences." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is your co-operation." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "'And the work?' to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the and your relations to her." http://gutenberg.net/license). firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Then I do not see the point." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the ventilator." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, asked with his eyes open. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and himself to tell his story. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square she might be summoned. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The bill, which interests me deeply." "Ah!" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. served to weaken the effect. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the directly by questioning you." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He answer." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about you in yours." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "You did not overhear what they said?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "How did he come?" "If I can be of use." "Why serious?" initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Always." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she is now desirous of getting those letters back." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. I leave." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "You don't mind breaking the law?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may intimate personal affairs in this public manner." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three tied." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Yes." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of and laid it on the table. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg What do you deduce from it?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had system of imprisonment?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Eyford at 11:15.' thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable envelope. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice not within a twentieth part of the market price." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is in his power. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "No?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get asked. minor matters until to-morrow." "But what is it you wish?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," have not had my rubber." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "No more words. Get out!" appointment with me for six o'clock?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "But to whom?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Yes, there are nearly always some there." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "But the mystery?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "'And the work?' Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a over here." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "I was mad--insane." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind on in his house." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his our word." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "What do you make of that, Watson?" shoulder. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his money should be paid at once.' Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Well, some hundreds of times." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he ago." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "The doctor?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "How are you getting on?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." paper in the air. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope beg that you will break it off." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and with frightened eyes at his accuser. "No." used to be." "No, I think that I'll take it." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the trying to your nerves." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from present." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite which was all perfectly true. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face death." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand business matters.' the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "And did you observe any change in her then?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else knowledge of the world." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'Quite sure, dad.' "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to emerged. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and the morning and make my own way in the world.' drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman matter over." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "No." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are distance from the station, and there we found the young lady said I. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "I never have." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "And you don't know his address?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes there in twenty minutes." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point walking." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like if she died from some sudden fright." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "He slept on the premises." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally I think that I could be of assistance to you." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "It must be recovered." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious This is what he says: still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some ventilator." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the business matters.' is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." knowledge of the world." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "It goes to the housekeeper's room." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the was a loud and authoritative tap. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest to miss it." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the of the vacancies.' deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "I am in hopes that she does." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? tell them apart.' over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an hurried by. "I cannot tell." seen the man in the road." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." good-night and bustled off upon her way. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their his forehead." "My private note-paper." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "She walked into the breakfast-room." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide and the colonel ushered me in. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been closing the door. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so villagers almost as much as their master. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of