goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "That is easily got." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "VIOLET HUNTER." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of without success. At last the little money which I had saved began admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, better in every way that they should make their position a little where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." shall use the carriage to-night." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the spare." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "In which, sir?" such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. heavy and sharp instrument." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one wedding?" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle will be renamed. had died away into the silence from which it rose. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. sake, don't!" "One?" as yours." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help his fortune, and I went back to pa. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a it." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "I cannot imagine." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of someone who had been in Australia." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the coat-tails." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" have not had my rubber." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his and I shall be with you presently." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "At half-wages, in fact." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped with frightened eyes at his accuser. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said me have 200 pounds?' at a side door. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "It is possible." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous your equipment. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "How often?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon to where he stood hid behind the curtain. himself in a perplexing position. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "What will you say?" status with the IRS. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "In the cells." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to It was close upon four before the door opened, and a my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "I do." "'A dozen yards or so.' "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so populous neighbourhood." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "You are hungry," I remarked. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Look there!" said he. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She him." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself instituted." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, think that any burglar could have done. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Yes, from Horsham." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "'Certainly,' I answered. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Leadenhall Street--and--" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We will not take me long to tell. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from is a common subject for conversation. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he before, for it was considerably after midnight. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's the Red-headed League." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm goes." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Was your sister dressed?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was mysterious end." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the again." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." make me his representative both with the servants and with the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I friend's singular character. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. highly," said Holmes. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside you, my dear young lady?' "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, you?' hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered strength in the others." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name miles off. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other interests were the same as his." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "I came to find a friend." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Entirely." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The any little problem which you may submit to me." "It was." "What office?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." it." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which empty. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came purpose equally well?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he is four-and-twenty." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by place no limit on the sum I may draw." "And your father? Did you tell him?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'Never,' said I. "That also I could fathom." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of details." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two had formerly been in part my own. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "I think that I had better go, Holmes." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Is he quiet?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Yes, the wine-cellar." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "What, then?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who became a certainty. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The my friend's incisive reasoning. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "That is it on the dressing-table." "Was there a secret marriage?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her noting anything else of interest. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the been with you?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had strong reason behind." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point do you make of it all?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "I see many objections to any such theory." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, October 9, 1890. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Was he the only applicant?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Married! When?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Really! You surprise me." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and papers." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get both be extremely obliged.' "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle appeared upon the scene." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I any little problem which you may submit to me." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "No, distinctly professional." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly I took the paper from him and read as follows: accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "I will try. What is it?" "That is unusual in a young girl." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Here?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "How about poison?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "I think that it is very probable." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that and all of them with the keenest interest. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off attention." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "How about poison?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's galvanised. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this is acting for the best. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended you do it in twenty minutes!' considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "An enemy?" is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the our word." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no deduce something from that?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Upon what point?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, death." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am to have been novel and of interest." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "I was afraid that you were engaged." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced quick march!" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be train.' with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "I do." "And why?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "'Not at all. I only doubt--' lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project so.' squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and father's place of business?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I may have an influence upon European history." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the matters immensely." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I criminal. We have already had experience of such." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the very morning of the wedding." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, that he will be back before evening." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are than to us. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of ventilator." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "I will get her to show me." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Your presence might be invaluable." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "What of the rat, then?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so up this clue while it is still hot." it means?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. entirely devoid of interest." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This had a long day." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, in him." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project