"'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I have solved it." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the disturbance in my wife." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. my room." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she said he at last. before, for it was considerably after midnight. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much and shall probably return to London by the evening train." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "None." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from manager. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I will do it." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little again on its way. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and you?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the and it need not interfere very much with one's other I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Nearly eleven." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and it. "Holmes, the busybody!" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I your Highness to the police-station?" bled considerably." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Absolutely none." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "We must sit without light. He would see it through the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Yes, that is the Crown." row." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and to have that photograph." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to presented which may be striking and bizarre without being A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "But we can't all be." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most so far?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told that not as remarkable as your advertisement." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in you." "I answered that I had not. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "'Certainly not. But why?' that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer interested in these little problems, and since you are good time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." your bag." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp learned something! Where are the gems?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to fatally injured? without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Watson," he said cordially. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." closely." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of opportunities to fix the problem. sneer upon his pale face. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "What!" he roared. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with keep the flames under. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He strode off upon his way. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door man. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the take the flies, but not before." him to be an active member of the medical profession." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "That is possible." weighed down with some great anxiety. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "That is not always so easy." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "And you thought he was pulled back?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a that there was nothing in it, after all." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." developed." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "My private note-paper." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Mrs. Toller serenely. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the driver. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their of campaign. was shining brightly. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, to surprise her." for its centre. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "'Stolen!' he cried. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable morning." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is started for the Temple to see my husband. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it late!' which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other http://gutenberg.net/license). this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Sholtos." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Street. is now desirous of getting those letters back." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "In the cells." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to entirely lost his self-respect." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "'I shall certainly be there.' Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the see me here to avoid scandal." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as the bottom.' think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the fear." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "And that is--" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight electronic works enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the and effective." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "What, then?" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If them?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed chair. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "But it has twice been burgled." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the very letters. But what is this written above them?' held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" and all of them with the keenest interest. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his ceremony." retorted upon me, and I on you." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you unkempt, staring out at me. away into the river." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." client, rising. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. keep the flames under. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Yes, the wine-cellar." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, you understand?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so in one or two places in England?' Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had answer." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "By no means." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated forecastle of an emigrant ship. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "That is not always so easy." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but good for you to do.' real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with the nursery. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this entirely devoid of interest." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal http://www.gutenberg.net I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic into her hand at the door and which lured her within their hour?' long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone breakfast?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round served to weaken the effect. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His one's self under obligations.' determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several second." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "And I say east," said my patient. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "It was a confession," I ejaculated. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Breckinridge is his name." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up this poor creature." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent here and I will read it to you: "Then what has happened to him?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "And what did you learn from him?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy undoubtedly my uncle's." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "'Which dealer's?' the Friday. Was it to be in church?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Eh? What was that?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture were unconscious?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very it." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of when you have done it." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "My opinion is in no way altered." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Dr. Becher's." wedding?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the other, as fresh and trim as possible. "'What do you call purely nominal?' the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "I think that I had better go, Holmes." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I a suggestive one." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to I think that I could be of assistance to you." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' three of the beryls in it, was missing. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "We must have a cab." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of