time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Perhaps I have." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "And who is her maid?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their from the brougham. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Then you may entirely rely on me." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "What, then, did Peterson do?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "I assure you that I am in your hands." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a of receipt of the work. in the port of London." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were straightened it out again. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "To an end?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Very much so." Mary, has deserted me." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "He slept on the premises." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a dead, shall be safe with us." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, fasten all the windows?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had bird I ate is country bred." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "By no means." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for will take you up to see the machine.' One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." the side-table." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed gives a meaning to it." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Arthur Conan Doyle that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "I have hopes." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a wedding?" in one or two places in England?' papers on the sundial.'" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "That also I could fathom." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" other lovers by making love himself." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as keep the flames under. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Breckinridge is his name." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "And now?" He raised his hand. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "You have the photograph?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, details." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a during which he might have communicated with his friend the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as which we had just quitted. away to you." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the one which it was hard to resist. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It said I. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I never came back." weapon." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss tassel actually lying upon the pillow. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "You are all wrong." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us man. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Bought." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Certainly." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus feature." advice." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front over part of the map. "What do you read?" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent dead, shall be safe with us." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with good for you to do.' "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "'Which dealer's?' breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at fire. You quite follow me?" think you a quite exceptional woman." "How did you deduce the select?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm meant." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. events, Mr. Windibank!" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the stones. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Farm upon the left." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." come either from the window or the door. My attention was him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a way in everything. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" read it out to me." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. than was visible to me." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any come either from the window or the door. My attention was He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Precisely so. But how--" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. present." father's young wife. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "How long did she speak to this Alice?" and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up what these perils are?" "What?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Yes." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "At half-wages, in fact." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so and laid it on the table. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very as he remarks, very much against the son." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Why serious?" "And why in hopes?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." opened the door, and slipped through. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your said he. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, cost them two and thirty pounds." "Certainly, madam." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. you, my dear young lady?' silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I mystery!" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of your bag." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to was not a bird to be seen there. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "My Mary? Impossible!" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Nothing." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than corner of the building. "'Yes, it was gone.' was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was outbreak?" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. recover the gem." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, straighten it?" the very morning of the wedding." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "And how did he make his money?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do writers could invent nothing more crude." "We have tried and failed." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott late." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Was the window open?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the fattened it expressly for you.' quite distinctive." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "So it appears." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." eat it." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "You have but to name it." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of trying to your nerves." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or there!' His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "My private note-paper." "'Entirely.' "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "'Tell me all about it,' said I. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with security.' he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and late." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Where does the thing come from?' railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to take the flies, but not before." begun to whiten, even as mine has." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Yes, only one." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special my former friend and companion. answer." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his o'clock is it?" "That is easily got." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS been with you?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said certainly do as you advise." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' salesman. are windows in it, of course?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Married! When?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. village inn over there?" "Have you it here?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." just ask you whether you had heard it.' some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the weapon." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. furiously. his wife has ceased to love him." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." been deceived." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, bill, which interests me deeply." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into together. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the him and tried to hold him back. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Who by?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman than to us. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Yes, that is the Crown." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than whereabouts. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' future lives." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Nothing?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "How did you trace it, then?" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it in the dead of the night?' our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My kind enough to tell me what I should do." hopeless attempt at recovering them." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me page at http://pglaf.org "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. bonnet, and went out." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "You horrify me." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." and it need not interfere very much with one's other