of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, crime." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" someone who had been in Australia." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California vanished into the darkness. "Then you may entirely rely on me." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for to some other building. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and you came in." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were lids now and glanced across at his visitor. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Then what has happened to him?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "It is to him that this trophy belongs." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I was not a bird to be seen there. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here London for the present?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "It is solved." retorted upon me, and I on you." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should works. See paragraph 1.E below. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's fashion which was peculiar to him. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him nice household for a young lady." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling that I may have something better before very many minutes are father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Where does the thing come from?' they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "None." Again Holmes raved in the air. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? heavily into it. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose to arrive at through this?" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my really the only notable feature about the thing." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and bare slabs of marble. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And criminal. We have already had experience of such." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told detective. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the kindly on the shoulder. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, and the whole place is in a blaze." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "And I to find an enemy." Pope's Court. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "That's no good." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Miss Holder?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this along the entire front of the house, with three long windows anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck like that before?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "May I see it?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, again." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "'Oh, no.' comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, again." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out that he will be back before evening." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to wall." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with again, where I was soon asleep. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Ample." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." October 9, 1890. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "No, finished." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "In what way?" asked Holmes. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "If so, much may have happened between." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining hard-headed British jury." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. held up the lantern and gazed about him. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided nothing of it?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to despaired of." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long the very morning of the wedding." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle lamp in his hand. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very one of the states of the Union." "Nothing?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Very truly yours, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to national property. I was determined that the law should have its transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Miss Holder?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Has he come with you to-night?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off you in yours." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "I am to be neutral?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm I think that I could be of assistance to you." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort opened a pocket-book and took out a note. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them seven miles from Eyford Station.' before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to 1.E.9. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My pictures, libraries, or plate. "Yesterday." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." this Miss Turner." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the train.' headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of sake, don't!" short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "I answered that I had not. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the occupations.' "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "At the wedding breakfast." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned you." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "But she will refuse." "I am in hopes that she does." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." in the hope of finding them." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I in his power. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when disturbance in my wife." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." became a certainty. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when correct than the official force." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual his fortune, and I went back to pa. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The once more. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Imitated." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom locked. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "In answer to an advertisement." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Mrs. Toller serenely. as yours." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand better grown goose." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but means taking possession of that which another person has a prior furiously. business in the City. She little knew what. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. your equipment. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for all that?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "There is the writing." again on its way. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. works. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "It surprised me." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "May I see it?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Indeed! Whose, then?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to in his hands." better grown goose." foot. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "How can you tell that?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he touch that coronet?' walking." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the London for the present?" dead, shall be safe with us." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior coat-tails." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Ah!" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was horse could go." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "You horrify me!" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small rooms." national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I cannot think." the coroner come to?" enough to aid us in our search." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Was your sister dressed?" skylight. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "The decline of his fortunes, then?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It seem to you to be relevant or not." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "It looks newer than the other things?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of train.' conversation I have gathered that they have been married about official police." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had I shall continue with my miserable story. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "But how did you gain them?" "'Yes, it was gone.' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "'Which dealer's?' of Mr. Rucastle's." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ started for the Temple to see my husband. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the woman." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a weighed down with some great anxiety. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Now, then, what's the last entry?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money such person." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over over part of the map. "What do you read?" "I beg pardon." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A three fields round his house, and there he would take his Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "How did that help you?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the