taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." again, where I was soon asleep. Eyford at 11:15.' you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an you, my dear young lady?' "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her of this gang." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an you." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, said Mr. Holder. forecastle of an emigrant ship. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his companion imperturbably. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him was the fact that his father should, according to his account, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "And I." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "I do." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Breckinridge is his name." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white when you have done it." "I shall most certainly do so." your bag." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if said he. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the stones. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of back into the street. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "And is that all?" appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Yes, it would be as well." digesting their breakfasts at home." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. in him." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "And why?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "No." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your certainly not very gracious." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower fear." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with head. So long, then!" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural better grown goose." had this final quarrel? "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, existence." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible giving me time to thank him. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here unprofitable." think, you have already met." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Game for a morning drive?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take already referred to. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church posted to-day." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "She showed me, as I told you she would." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we this as likely?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to like gravel from a pit.' "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was I shall continue with my miserable story. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more late." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Pray do so." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. became a certainty. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. back into the street. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Clair, of Lee." he. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "'Never.' and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "If I can be of use." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was directors have had misgivings upon the subject." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom remarked. "It was." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "'What would be the hours?' I asked. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "I am armed." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to certainly not very gracious." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as over here." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns to Leatherhead. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang question you as to those details which seem to me to be most greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "An enemy?" she to prove their authenticity?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next fishes. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior this remarkable episode. "Nothing?" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "What! Had he lost his wife?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and one or two very singular points about this room. For example, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little eat it." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "And you can do nothing until then?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I shall most certainly do so." "Yes. He waved his hands." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "There is the writing." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of I. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some locked." of them has the shutters up.' agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Nothing?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of paper in the air. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing think that he is innocent?" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't there!' "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was became a certainty. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so awkward doing business with an alias." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "But his lameness?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Arthur Conan Doyle and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in window when the police appeared." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "None." "It is true that I have been generally successful." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "The doctor?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all garden below. of Mr. Rucastle's." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very ways including including checks, online payments and credit card note?" felt?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker true." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the enter into my head. one which it was hard to resist. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "But who is he?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, some terrible trap for her." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" golden eyeglasses. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what to-night." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you side. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "By no means." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my will he say when he returns?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Cross for the Continent." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "I am all attention, madam." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. beyond words. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "To an end?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered outsides of the windows. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, throat." and laid it on the table. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular you in your example." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense morning." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of lectures into a series of tales." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered populous neighbourhood." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting it? Did I buy the geese off you?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, possible that we could bring him back to her? "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a know all about it," he snarled. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Yes." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few I nodded to show that I had heard. discontent upon his features. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you is so. I know all about McCarthy." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "And how have you succeeded?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "And for present expenses?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your them present such singular features as the strange train of Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon where we are going." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable is a common subject for conversation. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Gutenberg-tm License. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first door?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his o'clock is it?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Lestrade of Scotland Yard." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water side. "Was he the only applicant?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Nothing." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise four million human beings all jostling each other within the "In which, sir?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations is entirely a question of barometric pressure." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "It surprised me." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained walking." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some that you wished to speak to me?' England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk go--none." Chief Executive and Director British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "No, but the enclosure is." "I beg pardon." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "But how did you gain them?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had outbreak?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Witness: Nothing definite. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "But she could not love him." "The Cedars?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Again Holmes raved in the air. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat one or two very singular points about this room. For example, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; room. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, went to the Alpha were town bred." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior some mystery and the punishment of some crime." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Frequently." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "But what is it you wish?" approach us with offers to donate. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us.