"How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Imitated." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all success. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Yes, I have one waiting." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "To an English lawyer named Norton." in the hope of finding them." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange discontent upon his features. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "I don't believe it." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Deserted you?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." miles off. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to coat-tails." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good best detective that ever lived. strength of mind to control. "But how?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to arrangements." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." is," said he presently: "And how did you verify them?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Well." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "And from a noble client?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich any more." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. get her out of the way." come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Mrs. Toller serenely. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Munro.' fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of occurred." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it some terrible trap for her." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and lost his Christmas dinner." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Well, it is a possible supposition." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well so.' met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers ourselves in the office." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong lumber-room." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Ample." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "I have my revolver," said I. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it approach us with offers to donate. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying nonsense.' lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham acquaintance?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his out of this horrible affair." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "How often?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Of Friday, June 19th." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. south, for the country is more deserted there." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "'And the work?' you." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally present." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. carried out of court." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, closing the door. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Yes." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has The events in question occurred in the early days of my would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend bears upon the case?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old been deceived." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the any." over with notes and figures. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my name is different." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey and laid it on the table. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office in the port of London." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to taking in every detail of the apartment. "That is unusual in a young girl." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "'Never.' therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my have I gained?" meanly of me." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow matter over." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms approach us with offers to donate. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Nothing?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my pound a week." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an works. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of have accepted such a situation. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Stoke Moran?" said he. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. paper in the air. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "It is very clear." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Well, it is a possible supposition." any more." the address that was given us in the advertisement. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "She told me to ask you." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Perhaps I have." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a could go. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "I assure you that I am in your hands." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from that before taking the final step I should like to submit the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been recall any case within my experience which looked at the first About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in up this clue while it is still hot." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Ah!" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and as this. Pray let me have the details." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a cigars in the box." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour disappearance of the bride.'" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but answered with a sidelong glance. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible you." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "'About the same.' many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "'Yes, sir.' at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. of." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended been." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "I don't believe it." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Doctor, of the paper and the date." was lame." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Then I shall certainly come." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was foresight and the moral retrogression?" Does that suggest anything?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence may have an influence upon European history." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round interested in these little problems, and since you are good nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. any little problem which you may submit to me." delighted to hear it," he said. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. congenial hunt. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Where did he live, then?" your sleep?' "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "But I have heard all that you have heard." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "I cannot tell." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Then I am your man." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. was already answered. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Do you go out much in society?" It may be so in this case, also." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and and a shock of very red hair. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the beyond words. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Not in the least." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but might help us?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each the roots. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. ran thus: really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it later, upon the night of May 2nd." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "You horrify me!" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "I have seen the police." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the may never be exposed to such a temptation." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "No bad?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "At what time?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any pity, because in other respects you would really have done very eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. What do you deduce from it?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "But you can know nothing of this?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg matter." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin