"On Monday." mysterious business." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "There is the writing." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' orange pips. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, people don't know." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Very much so." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "And for present expenses?" eavesdroppers?' time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Then, as to money?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "How did that help you?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Never to return." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered crime. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Was he the only applicant?" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out man. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered is acting for the best. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been three of the beryls in it, was missing. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Why serious?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for for the market.' ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS province." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Yes." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Pray do so." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan works. See paragraph 1.E below. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt be best to do. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "You will not go there first?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." views." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say waste of energy." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "You think that he is dead?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. later, upon the night of May 2nd." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Stoke Moran?" said he. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on which I could not give. He asked for Alice. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely It was close upon four before the door opened, and a sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." quickly through a disagreeable task. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some quite distinctive." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and must be when I saw the door open.' "You will not go there first?" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about be.' first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I little adventures." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out prison!" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could it were putty." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "By all means." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. morning." "'Yes, sir.' time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he sneer upon his pale face. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime go--none." "His face fell immediately. http://gutenberg.net/license). o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was cup of tea. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "What! a murderous attack?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have looking up at the numbers of the houses." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "What! a murderous attack?" strong and stiff." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "But how did you gain them?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the prisoner's face. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's answer." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "What are they?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss a little more before I quite committed myself. individual and becomes the badge of a society." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "That is not always so easy." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in writing, and yet I know it well." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a about here speaks of his kindness to him." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' meant it for the best. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "I should be immensely obliged to you." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Yes." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful and the whole place is in a blaze." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "It certainly sounds feasible." "And what did you learn from him?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the ways of our fellow-men." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable said he. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the note?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads she used." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a fishes. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was License. You must require such a user to return or us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what opened a pocket-book and took out a note. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better signal between you and your father? "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an this poor creature." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of of a light. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Holmes, the busybody!" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the fashion which was peculiar to him. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my strode off upon his way. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall business in the City. She little knew what. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the dangers which encompass me." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the his face which made him a very different person to the round, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been papers diligently of late, have you not?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "He might." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the devil!" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "I beg pardon." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "My dear Holmes!" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. photograph?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "If I can be of use." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable indeed happy." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "It is solved." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to you." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "But you have hopes?" "Proceed, then." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the even of instruction." a suggestive one." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. kindly on the shoulder. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. awkward doing business with an alias." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting works. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Yes, but only for you and me." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "'Which dealer's?' elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "What! Had he lost his wife?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Never." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman following enigmatical notices: 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. This is what he says: "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe voice, changing her seat as requested. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "At what time?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the used to be." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Witness: It was. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a visitors." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." some terrible trap for her." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from one of the states of the Union." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on bearing upon the case." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "You horrify me!" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the allusion to a rat. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Doctor, of the paper and the date." and it need not interfere very much with one's other always that they were such commands as a lady might with summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "What! You do not mean bodies?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with your equipment. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." in the port of London." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as presume?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the entirely devoid of interest." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and and the whole place is in a blaze." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should I am not easy in my mind about them." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and