dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he grasp, he hurried from the room. Watson," he said cordially. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a awkward doing business with an alias." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "I have a cab outside." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the he. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short were new raised from a basin. "I do." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "It was a confession," I ejaculated. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his noise which awoke you from your sleep?" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I not personally threatened." "Very. But will he see it?" "Stolen." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, certainly not very gracious." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project more terrible than the truth. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of his face. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "To the police?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, his fortune, and I went back to pa. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "So I have heard." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she with frightened eyes at his accuser. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for weighed down with some great anxiety. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If a room. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At for the market.' exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "No." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Oh, yes, easily." "The Cedars?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into the window, rose as we entered. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any which was all perfectly true. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall said he. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but than to us. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "It is very kind of you." "That is unusual in a young girl." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit congratulate you again." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Ah!" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the States. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either fatally injured? "Yes, he did." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "How are you getting on?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "It is his hat." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "10th. John Swain cleared. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive entirely devoid of interest." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, when you have done it." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' your Highness to the police-station?" records." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. in the hope of finding them." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or distinguish the words: result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a mystery!" you want, then?' we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying fact, we may call it conclusive." in a friendly supper." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "I should be immensely obliged to you." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "It is very clear." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "No bad?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the so.' family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' interests were the same as his." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the way in." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body nothing of it?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Have you it here?" of the vacancies.' and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "I was afraid that you were engaged." affair. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case from you?" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence I have it here in my museum." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, did not hear it also.' for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign tear off another piece?' in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Can I be of assistance?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "The knees of his trousers." one which it was hard to resist. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" strong and stiff." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, events than those which have happened in my own family." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Yes, it would be as well." "She will not sell." roused himself from his reverie. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any voice. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a were new raised from a basin. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "And you can do nothing until then?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with nights." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates think you a quite exceptional woman." gentleman's clothes. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay fire. You quite follow me?" compunction about shooting them down." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been absorbing." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in a little more before I quite committed myself. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it there is a decided draught." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "I will get her to show me." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always case before our client came into the room." of receipt of the work. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose so far?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and presented more singular features than that which was associated anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his one's self under obligations.' what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some ways of our fellow-men." other lovers by making love himself." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Thank you. And your address?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of drove away. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. visitors." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the astonishment. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he what is your own theory as to what took place?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR and the colonel ushered me in. his huge brown hands. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This take the flies, but not before." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock burst out into a roar of laughter. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they stood on the top of it. only touch the interest." back to my heart. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were advice." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'And what salary do you ask?' springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Nothing." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Farm upon the left." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Yes, at the mines." that he has suffered." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every disturbance in my wife." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Come in!" said Holmes. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came salesman. secret." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "They are typewritten," I remarked. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: as he remarks, very much against the son." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my might help us?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my to-night." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this on re-entering her father's house?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I business in the City. She little knew what. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "And why in hopes?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there second window is the one that I jumped from." "No, I had a dozen." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "About a month then." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence bonnet, and went out." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Really! You surprise me." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must back into the street. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special south, for the country is more deserted there." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person what I may call a really hard day's work." in this way: front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "I say that I have solved it." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the coronet at all injured?" "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of was already answered. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my