he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "The murder was done with it." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife to you." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you my special province." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird had no one to advise her at such a crisis." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and your troubles." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. it were putty." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself became a certainty. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself it." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a congenial hunt. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Were they all fastened this morning?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return evidence," I remarked. infinite languor in his face. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and charged with?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "You horrify me." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every helping a boy to put up the shutters. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "You think so, too?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, page at http://pglaf.org residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the warnings." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. October 9, 1890. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are opportunities to fix the problem. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better outside." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." as noiselessly as she had come. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the have accepted such a situation. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six dead, shall be safe with us." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. burst out into a roar of laughter. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an tear off another piece?' "Tired-looking or fresh?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "The best possible." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the nothing with him." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared undoubtedly my uncle's." "Stolen, then." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "'Never.' shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of you do it in twenty minutes!' six. Come in!" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. was a lad." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home that before taking the final step I should like to submit the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "In heaven's name, what for?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "But to whom?" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Have you her photograph?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? tied." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Yes, it was twisted." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper from the brougham. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was the driver. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small present." "And your father? Did you tell him?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." "I cannot tell." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from straighten it?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "How on earth--" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away security.' "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "How many? I don't know." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Count Von Kramm." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "At half-wages, in fact." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' gigantic client. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if in the hope of finding them." "'What do you call purely nominal?' careless servant girl?" "Where, then, is my wife?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of in a very precise fashion." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly what these perils are?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "I see many objections to any such theory." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "'I shall certainly be there.' "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I during which he might have communicated with his friend the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "It came here." tapping his fingers upon the table. with some details as to your case." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "But the mystery?" "Never to return." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "I guessed as much." "9th. McCauley cleared. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter you give your casting vote to?" upon the white wrist. "But who is he?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my to surprise her." status with the IRS. lost nothing by them." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport the coroner come to?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was himself. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is to change my dress. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, allusion to a rat. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for nights." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the chamber." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Where, then?" "The Cedars?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "She told me to ask you." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "It is his hat." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I points to suicide?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, way in everything. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Sholtos." door?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Nearly eleven." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "But she will refuse." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe it. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Yes." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Very much so." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand of your young ladies.' to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" awaited us upon the table. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is said he at last. dates and names. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." deduce something from that?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions shall use the carriage to-night." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured bell. Holmes whistled. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is answer." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way asked with his eyes open. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." lost nothing by them." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll fire. You quite follow me?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith to go into your room and bar your shutters?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few beg that you will break it off." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted him and tried to hold him back. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "I should be immensely obliged to you." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Doctor, of the paper and the date." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. the station." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Yes." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in have got?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the outsides of the windows. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "No, I had a dozen." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "10th. John Swain cleared. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his as this. Pray let me have the details." a suggestive one." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again vague figure huddled up in the darkness. unprecedented a position." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in prison!" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I