Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as case before our client came into the room." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I signal between you and your father? right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "What! You do not mean bodies?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend bill, which interests me deeply." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the out of this horrible affair." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Entirely." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Farm upon the left." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Stoke Moran." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but tassel actually lying upon the pillow. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "So I am. Very much so." ordinary clothes on?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently that, and I came down." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and chance at all." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "'Certainly not. But why?' be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, promised to bring home. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Well." here and I will read it to you: all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was without success. At last the little money which I had saved began have not had my rubber." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, second window is the one that I jumped from." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use which we had just quitted. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Dirty?" "VIOLET HUNTER." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would http://gutenberg.net/license). ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone remarked. outbreak?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Yes, the wine-cellar." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his one's self under obligations.' "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Miss Holder?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "And did you observe any change in her then?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a conceal it?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Oh, fresh and glossy." "And I to find an enemy." "I say it is." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We was a lad." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a I shall continue with my miserable story. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Was your sister dressed?" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in conceal it?" one which it was hard to resist. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of characteristics, but those are the more obvious." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Not him." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "I will, Miss Turner." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "There is the writing." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into or other trace. But how on earth--" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to interests were the same as his." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Texas, I think." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. intrusion of other matters." notes," he said. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, have got?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "You forget that I know nothing about it." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the inquest, and which are worth considering." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "And leave your case unfinished?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "'Where to?' Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "This concluded the examination of the witness." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Yes, the wine-cellar." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the beyond words. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "But his lameness?" "Perhaps I have." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Your French gold?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "And now?" He raised his hand. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office in your London, you will know that the office of the company is ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where clanging. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I leave you to your papers for a little." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Holmes rather sternly. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the new acquaintance to Baker Street. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and would then never go into court at all." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, tell me that you intended to go into harness." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "She will not sell." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he taking in every detail of the apartment. himself to tell his story. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again him and tried to hold him back. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the it." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms that the gas is not laid on in his house?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Of Friday, June 19th." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "But you were on a friendly footing?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at electronic works child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the business at Coburg Square is serious." thin legs towards the fire. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Certainly." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. of Fenchurch Street." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "What! Had he lost his wife?" nice household for a young lady." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Edgeware Road. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that straighten it?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Yes, certainly." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it door?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Lestrade of Scotland Yard." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the villagers almost as much as their master. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the bare slabs of marble. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Chief Executive and Director "I will, Miss Turner." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Then, as to money?" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. it." upon an income of about 60 pounds." License. You must require such a user to return or stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "When did it break out?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." lost nothing by them." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "I was mad--insane." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away you do it in twenty minutes!' signal between you and your father? to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." pierced for earrings?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "In answer to an advertisement." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train the ceiling. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the child." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Get out!" said he. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Was the window open?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." friend's singular character. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Murdered?" cup of tea. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, was keenly on my guard against him. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it and glanced through. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and interests were the same as his." "Then I can wait in the next room." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought roused himself from his reverie. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he such person." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and there!' matter." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "No, finished." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all go from here to the Strand." at home. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "We must have a cab." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "To an end?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right in a very precise fashion." "Where to?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Yes?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my you?' down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "My private note-paper." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Do you go out much in society?" to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped anything to do with the matter?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." business." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. flock.' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no the so-precious time, but come!' "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and unprofitable." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "She told me to ask you." him and tried to hold him back. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking were new raised from a basin. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "But we can't all be." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, conduct the inquiry." new duties?' "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Will you go?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I have come for advice." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "To an English lawyer named Norton." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest official police." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "How did you trace it, then?" "Look there!" said he. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "And Irene Adler?" "I have my revolver," said I. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the child." ago." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. were wasted." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help bore every mark of being an average commonplace British was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you."