figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I new duties?' save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his closing the door. "I guessed as much." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father touch that coronet?' thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the Friday. Was it to be in church?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a himself. heavily into it. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak unclasping of his long thin hands. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and call for it in person on Monday morning.' to-night?' "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Could he throw no light?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to something of him before." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs hardly wander." look upon these things in a different way." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the have been better. It is all right." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, some terrible trap for her." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." key turn in the lock." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end have got?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which hereditary King of Bohemia." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." deduce something from that?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the chance at all." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than shoulder; "he's all right." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut me where it went to?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have ago." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may lumber-room." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. asked. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her occupations.' gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, may have an influence upon European history." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I cannot think." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. this Miss Turner." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included door?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no most interesting one." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of The King stared at him in amazement. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a one's self under obligations.' immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end pound a week." thin legs towards the fire. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who as yours." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the national property. I was determined that the law should have its problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay joking. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand upon a handsome competence. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking meant." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "I should like to see him very much." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he future lives." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, into the bag, and made for the door. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly forebodings. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Yes, but only for you and me." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." meanly of me." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Married! When?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own visitors." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then delighted to hear it," he said. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting fashion which was peculiar to him. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "But we can't all be." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I heavy and sharp instrument." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend with her." visitors." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "At the wedding breakfast." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him was used.' "You have carte blanche." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Upon what point?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated you in your example." straightened it out again. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I him to go away.' "What is it, then--a fire?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Yes, only one." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider seem to you to be relevant or not." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "There is the writing." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "It certainly sounds feasible." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at sound at heart." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine been anything against him. He had for years been known as a see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "He might." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'Entirely.' remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Absolutely?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "I will, Miss Turner." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock DAMAGE. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "I saw her in conversation with her maid." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was of Mr. Rucastle's." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "When did she vanish, then?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and examination of the premises, but without finding anything which The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her woven round him. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "'Ample.' a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned minor matters until to-morrow." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "And you thought he was pulled back?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "And what then?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the putting in the horse. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson tension within him. "On your arm?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not returning from some small jollification and was making his way street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** assist you in forming an opinion." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "I don't believe it." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." row." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled speckled band?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "The gentleman I describe." This is what he says: "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, would then never go into court at all." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Not yet." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "But what harm can there be in that?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "That sounds a little paradoxical." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a that you can jump it.' clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work your sleep?' and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of copied or distributed: cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed easy-going way." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have it." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you conceal it?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a I nodded to show that I had heard. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten bird I ate is country bred." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea characteristics, but those are the more obvious." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in opened the door, and slipped through. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Was your sister dressed?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Edgeware Road. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this suggested at once that there must be a communication between the late." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of said I.