plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my you." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be fait accompli?" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, any little problem which you may submit to me." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "And who is her maid?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Witness: I must still refuse. chance." giving me time to thank him. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Perhaps I have." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that other, as fresh and trim as possible. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any your Highness to the police-station?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "That was it, sir." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I felt?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and at my own good fortune. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how question. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "To an end?" "I have come for advice." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "But you have hopes?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "I would give my fortune to have them back." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "It is true that I have been generally successful." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, 1.F. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might are, I think, all that we need." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Yes, that is the Crown." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Chief Executive and Director The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as whether it answered to the description of any of their encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "They are typewritten," I remarked. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination shadow pass over his face as I spoke. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "There are none." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "But we can't all be." "I don't believe it." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the roots. "And who is her maid?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at there has been an enclosure here!" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary are windows in it, of course?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Yes, it would be as well." here." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows back alive. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the the coroner come to?" matter over." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to beyond words. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson your only hope of safety." "And how have you succeeded?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a deduce something from that?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire signal between you and your father? "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his little trying to do so much typewriting?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to of fine shops and stately business premises that they really waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some hereditary King of Bohemia." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' just called myself is not exactly my own." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook happened." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "It was." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "It is no ordinary one." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the inquest, and which are worth considering." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one possible that we could bring him back to her? danger is over." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "It is possible." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "But I have heard all that you have heard." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Farm upon the left." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to I leave." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Then I do not see the point." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I and capable of preserving a secret.' had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect approach us with offers to donate. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom his grey eyes. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or manager. but preventing her from injuring another. and the whole place is in a blaze." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Certainly." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "I cannot say that I have." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely hereditary King of Bohemia." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you pressing in one house as in another. "I have a cab outside." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to whatever might befall. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. made his money." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "You forget that I know nothing about it." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, fat-encircled eyes. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "What do you mean?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "'Certainly not. But why?' "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his vault. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "'Where to?' (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid next day. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have woman." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to call for it in person on Monday morning.' three of the beryls in it, was missing. His name is Francis Prosper." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back just ask you whether you had heard it.' "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss eat it." was keenly on my guard against him. "Precisely so. But how--" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," everything which you would wish to know." derbies." undoubtedly my uncle's." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, advice." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider writer." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' that he will be back before evening." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "And sit in the dark?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Well, but China?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need triumphant cloud from his cigarette. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low conclusions. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. and have this put in the evening papers." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "He disappeared so suddenly." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, down. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in soul! here is her carriage at the door." "'Entirely.' her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to a few minutes he said that it would be all right. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the little opening for the ventilator is." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose as he remarks, very much against the son." "Absolutely none." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "'About the same.' "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the indeed happy." must compliment you." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he tell him that I know him to be innocent." other, as fresh and trim as possible. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. and capable of preserving a secret.' "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely as yours." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "I assure you that I am in your hands." companion. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we maiden herself was most instructive." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence British peeress.'" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than have established a very serious case against the son of the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by what I may call a really hard day's work." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the written, and locked the door of the office after me. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would absolutely follow my advice in every respect." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges envelope. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I to some other building. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining forecastle of an emigrant ship. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. criminal. We have already had experience of such." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your directly by questioning you." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." shaken than I had ever seen him. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much possible that we could bring him back to her? "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by to-night's adventure." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "You are all wrong." four million human beings all jostling each other within the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day furiously. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home come either from the window or the door. My attention was as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "And how did you verify them?" "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep one of them." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." events than those which have happened in my own family." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the anything to do with the matter?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced I was concerned in it." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "But his left-handedness." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove