cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that in this way: "It is possible." your own bird, so if you wish--" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. fuss that is made over them." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had them?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Young McCarthy must be got off, however." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an I took the paper from him and read as follows: yourselves in at night?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my daring than any effort of the imagination." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "'Why that?' I asks. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the tragedy. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "The King of Scandinavia." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in persecution?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "You have compromised yourself seriously." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in question you as to those details which seem to me to be most which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Mrs. Toller serenely. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To may have an influence upon European history." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he neither fascinating nor artistic." take the flies, but not before." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other gives a meaning to it." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "10th. John Swain cleared. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" over with notes and figures. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both for its centre. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I in the hope of finding them." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Holmes, the busybody!" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the colour had been driven from his face. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he people don't know." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away true." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "It is no ordinary one." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a clang of the bell. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a weighed down with some great anxiety. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the station." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple call for it in person on Monday morning.' strength of mind to control. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite not as remarkable as your advertisement." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "'Stolen!' he cried. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be into the bag, and made for the door. "Pray let us have it, for all that." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. derbies." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others morning." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank ready to-morrow?' for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was to go into your room and bar your shutters?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" you." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward if only as a check to my own memory." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "What then?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland dramatic, in fact." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was the roots. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "On Monday." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat like that before?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with gone. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how have had none more fantastic than this." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, be there in time for your coming." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. gentleman's clothes. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "I have a cab outside." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That you understand?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "My stepfather's business papers." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat orange pips. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at said Mr. Holder. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. province." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where towards the blaze. time." "How can you tell that?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "A thing like a cleaver," said he. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I time." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was one else, I think." "Entirely." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. his knees, staring into the fire. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering IS real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the of Mr. Rucastle's." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me might have a private word with us. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I should be immensely obliged to you." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the speckled band?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "If so, much may have happened between." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are round with crates and massive boxes. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little 11:15.' in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Street. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such your room." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Nothing." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens discontent upon his features. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time intimate personal affairs in this public manner." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Serpentine Avenue. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read you in your example." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Not in the least." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Gutenberg-tm License. people don't know." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Have you it here?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Gutenberg-tm License. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Yes." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "The knees of his trousers." eat it." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Oh, the cause is excellent!" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from your sleep?' morning." learned something! Where are the gems?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which of his shoulders. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less is entirely a question of barometric pressure." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. speckled band?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for front of the hall door has given its name to the place. matter." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Yes." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "No, my brougham is waiting." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had little trying to do so much typewriting?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, to that open window." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a dates and names. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his to have that photograph." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to helping a boy to put up the shutters. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have chamber." "Not him." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "I have a cab outside." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "I beg pardon." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of when your master had gone out." strode off upon his way. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most where she found matters as described by the last witness. joking. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Then I am your man." hereditary King of Bohemia." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; think, you have already met." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." memory. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an man. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "What shall I do?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally front of the hall door has given its name to the place. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Stoke Moran?" said he. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "In the cells." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been to-night." to have that photograph." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and 'please.'" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both shag which I had seen upon the previous night. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." only touch the interest." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from asked. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "What! Had he lost his wife?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given not interfere, come what may. You understand?" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary