Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "The doctor?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I laugh and put his lips to my ear. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan mysterious business." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Did you become engaged then?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" hair?' "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Pool. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a that threaten you." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." chambers. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "You horrify me!" power." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Well, but China?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, there is a decided draught." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." is now desirous of getting those letters back." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I jewels which you have stolen?' XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "In answer to an advertisement." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Will you bet, then?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. roused himself from his reverie. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I colonel looking down at me. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, my friend's incisive reasoning. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly information in his hands the value of which he did not himself coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "He is dead," cried several voices. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "That also I could fathom." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Very murderous indeed." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger written. would then never go into court at all." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he face and glided from the room. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into derbies." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the King without delay." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Arthur Conan Doyle "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "I guessed as much." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "She will not sell." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the congratulate you again." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent cheerful." was keenly on my guard against him. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "On Monday." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "'Ample.' "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever this Miss Turner." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which asked with his eyes open. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Well, but China?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check heavily into it. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing standing smiling on the door-step. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "How do you know, then?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." breakfast?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "And why?" round and wave him away like that.' "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "You did not overhear what they said?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" yet." rose-bushes. in the hope of finding them." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was and the colonel ushered me in. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "'What, the red-headed man?' "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." national property. I was determined that the law should have its end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Always." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the there." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray their singular warning or token before them when starting upon was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Do you receive much company?" he asked. in the hope of finding them." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of invisible to me," I remarked. politicians who had been sent down from the North. II. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall but preventing her from injuring another. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "I am sure." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found knowledge of the world." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "And I say east," said my patient. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when to arrive at through this?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He from the brougham. of Mr. Rucastle's." Project Gutenberg-tm works. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. depend upon my doing so.' for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who breakfast and whispered something to her husband. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "'Certainly not. But why?' she slowly sank and died without having recovered her known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "We have tried and failed." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just salesman. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I article?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as writing, and yet I know it well." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could detained." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a legal crime." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "How did you trace it, then?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my you." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Certainly, madam." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. so far?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy learned something! Where are the gems?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "But she will refuse." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "This concluded the examination of the witness." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Nothing." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "It was." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was which our visitor detailed to us. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not of campaign. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the is acting for the best. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "The vanishing of the lady." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry hereditary King of Bohemia." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the passage and a tap at the door. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." point in the dark hollow of his hand. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking criminal. We have already had experience of such." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Countess of Morcar's?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of once more for Briony Lodge. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "'How far from the body?' purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Game for a morning drive?" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He events, Mr. Windibank!" "And how did you verify them?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little done what I asked you, Jones?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the best of training." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "And I to find an enemy." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in just called myself is not exactly my own." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some even of instruction." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the think that any burglar could have done. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will leaning back in his chair. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Entirely." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "What!" he roared. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "How on earth--" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, companion. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "That is possible." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were that he will be back before evening." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. until night should bring an explanation. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them yourselves in at night?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "And you can do nothing until then?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Yes. He waved his hands." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Where to?" and your relations to her." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it