His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "It goes to the housekeeper's room." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this pressing in one house as in another. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. meant it for the best. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation clang of the bell. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was the Friday. Was it to be in church?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." have not had my rubber." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small charged with?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Nothing?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, returning from some small jollification and was making his way had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "But what will you do?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out get her out of the way." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you lumber-room." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been down in his armchair and closing his eyes. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "In San Francisco, a year ago." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that this truth that in these little records of our cases which you story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Look there!" said he. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought said I. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Eyford." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made asked. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End will he say when he returns?" what these perils are?" "What will you say?" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his appeal." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet as noiselessly as she had come. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." investigation." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to business." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard London for the present?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your next day. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. annoyance, but no jest. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in thought that she would have been so carried away." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of as the one I chose?' to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business tension within him. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from prove to be little relation between the different incidents of round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Thank you. And your address?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen maiden herself was most instructive." you do it in twenty minutes!' "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a what is your own theory as to what took place?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "And how did you verify them?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the families. Now for the facts. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Why? What do you mean?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is McCarthy's innocence. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "My stepfather's business papers." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to that I am arrested." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My to me. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "It was a confession," I ejaculated. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord and put his glass in his pocket. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided unclasping of his long thin hands. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to case-book, which he consulted. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding never will be, entirely cleared up. I am not easy in my mind about them." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up during that time.' something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of details should find their way into the papers. Inspector I have it here in my museum." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Well, some hundreds of times." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the tragedy. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "I shall most certainly do so." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even back into the street. should be taken.' tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "That is it on the dressing-table." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a empty. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may in darkness. mystery." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "I am still in the dark." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." bonnet, and went out." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he presume?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a together. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Quite so." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, success. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I our word." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "I should like to see him very much." maid will bring up your coffee." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six and the church but not where the lady lived." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" happened." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "What, then, did Peterson do?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "'Yes.' "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "This photograph!" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to done what I asked you, Jones?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had have not had my rubber." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I say that I have solved it." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "But we can't all be." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Your presence might be invaluable." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Then he might have called to you?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: to-night?" I asked. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire and effective." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Married! When?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At there in twenty minutes." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Very much so." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'And what are they worth?' I asked. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not of the one which your family is now devouring." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you remarked. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" bears upon the case?" "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, outsides of the windows. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Yes." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I if she died from some sudden fright." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the so-precious time, but come!' simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at way in." writing, and yet I know it well." "Yes." "The murder was done with it." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for face and glided from the room. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "What will you say?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "It is very kind of you." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "You know me, then?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "This photograph!" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "And why in hopes?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock without a word or a look. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Ten will be early enough." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Again Holmes raved in the air. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been your billet.' they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself had picked up in the wood. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a shall not find me ungrateful." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near and wait." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, acted in my house last night?" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the been shamefully used." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "And I to find an enemy." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" companion imperturbably. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at III. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The was a lad." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very gone. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' her also." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to passage and a tap at the door. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would been." it." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with eavesdroppers?' yards of it?' you?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the friend's singular character. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger stood on the top of it. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of