familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" noting anything else of interest. "Very much so." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "How did that help you?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would that I may have something better before very many minutes are the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit delirious. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in in his hands." discontent upon his features. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Never to return." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "None." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." was used.' "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "But to whom?" "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Where is it, then?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while foresight and the moral retrogression?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on papers diligently of late, have you not?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I clang of the bell. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had at my own good fortune. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "The rest you will leave in our hands." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous the bed, and you in that chair." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "My own seal." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "I am all attention, madam." DAMAGE. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "To ruin me." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "'There is a drive, then?' "'Oh, no.' Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Sutherland?" "But who is he?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "And how did you find out?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of giving me time to thank him. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the formed some opinion?" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Ah, but I was recommended to you." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no hurried away. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Street. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Was there a secret marriage?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his to have been novel and of interest." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "What have you done?" asked Holmes. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "That is possible." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' minor matters until to-morrow." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not rose-bushes. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "No." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "But how?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to together. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes about. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of his fortune, and I went back to pa. dramatic, in fact." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Was there a secret marriage?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." room?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." or in danger--" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by into the bag, and made for the door. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their there has been an enclosure here!" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Then you may be so with me." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem leave you to your papers for a little." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." to me. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying highly," said Holmes. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not business?" hour?' less than 26s. 4d. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have to-night's adventure." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting developed." "Yes." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. little adventures." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Lee, in the county of Kent." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Was the window open?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful to tell." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he interested in these little problems, and since you are good done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, crime." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in following enigmatical notices: with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more spark where all is dark to me." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really chair. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some papers." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a gone before you can get him to hospital." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I here and I will read it to you: frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in married her." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a directors, with the result that you have seen." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his fuss that is made over them." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "A client, then?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked quick march!" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious following enigmatical notices: my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." morning." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Which are?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue allusion to a rat. made his money." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Is he quiet?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." went to the Alpha were town bred." What do you deduce from it?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "'Never.' he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Yes." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, province." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon you came in." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "No." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, this remarkable episode. my room." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" suspect him." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "What is it?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "But you would not advise me to refuse?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed walking." unkempt, staring out at me. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her triumphant cloud from his cigarette. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his a few minutes he said that it would be all right. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the October 9, 1890. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging train from Paddington which would bring you there at about stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "My private note-paper." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of their singular warning or token before them when starting upon better in every way that they should make their position a little you." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with walking." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Was he the only applicant?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set