also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Certainly." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch The telegram which we eventually received came late one night uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he it. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it him to be an active member of the medical profession." "And who is her maid?" liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to through." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "How did you deduce the select?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: went to the Alpha were town bred." like that before?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Farm upon the left." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. amused." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "How are you getting on?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to place no limit on the sum I may draw." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand of campaign. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital empty. "'I have heard so.' how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Then I do not see the point." wedding?" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Perhaps I have." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the that, and I came down." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so which our visitor detailed to us. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself because she had spent so short a time in this country that she about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "If I can be of use." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There once more to my work. "Why, what do you mean?" mystery!" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry considering the formidable letters which were received by himself will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it lectures into a series of tales." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. business came to an end." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off this as likely?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the so.' in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. legal crime." "Always." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a think that he is innocent?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the one as in the other." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Your sister is dead, then?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, directly by questioning you." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "And you can do nothing until then?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Never." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, this unhappy family?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "You don't mind breaking the law?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' morning." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her she slowly sank and died without having recovered her drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I warn you that they are very incomplete." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's if only as a check to my own memory." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long country, and eventually married, without anyone having a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Yes, that is the Crown." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think your only hope of safety." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "But she will refuse." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it views." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "You have carte blanche." crowd. this Miss Turner." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. definite end. attention." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "But how?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or man. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was and glanced through. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." carriage. It was a chestnut." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "He said that you could solve anything." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." might help us?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy name is different." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." more terrible than the truth. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are tapping his fingers upon the table. woman." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to with frightened eyes at his accuser. the coronet in his hands?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." promised to bring home. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "That is it on the dressing-table." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, a good hundred miles off by now." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in desk. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had tear off another piece?' the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "None." see a sister of mine apply for." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not night.' said he. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "My photograph." "'What, the red-headed man?' works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg right! Sit down and let us talk it over." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Clair, of Lee." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. became a certainty. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Pray do so." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. whatever might befall. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl again." one else, I think." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "One of his hands." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the coronet in his hand?" Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Ten will be early enough." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his six. Come in!" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and derbies." papers." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Tired-looking or fresh?" fact, we may call it conclusive." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I ill-usage at the hands of fortune. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "You know me, then?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be congenial hunt. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the him to be an active member of the medical profession." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our is so. I know all about McCarthy." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS do.' became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Ten will be early enough." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, have got?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "And why?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this affection." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, to have that photograph." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' and capable of preserving a secret.' Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp him!" thought that she would have been so carried away." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "But not more so than I to find you." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches hopeless attempt at recovering them." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting sake, don't!" o'clock is it?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Leadenhall Street--and--" problems help me to do so." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "How do you know, then?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in congratulate you again." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend there!' mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to could not have written that. It is the German who is so found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now stammered. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but works. whatever might befall. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even envelope. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will retorted upon me, and I on you." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "I was sure that I might rely on you." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of morning." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and over with notes and figures. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." situation." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable most important business. It is probable that he will be away all there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the and looked back. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "And how did he make his money?" to arrive at through this?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note she to prove their authenticity?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "To an English lawyer named Norton." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident see me here to avoid scandal." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be lost his Christmas dinner." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak wedding?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a be. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Absolutely?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project particular state visit http://pglaf.org derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or second." "And when will you call?" indeed which he could not unravel. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Texas, I think." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The during the last few years, and there are many noble families to ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Chief Executive and Director the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "When did it break out?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "And leave your case unfinished?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A and shall probably return to London by the evening train." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no