"'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. you." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Thank you. And your address?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "I am in hopes that she does." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the from the brougham. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It observed. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and sake, don't!" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind presented more singular features than that which was associated "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George to have been novel and of interest." disappearance of the bride.'" "On Monday." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to suggested at once that there must be a communication between the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are and I shall be with you presently." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls meant." "'I am sure if I had known--' difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "And what then?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily stammered. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "'Most admirably.' whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for later, upon the night of May 2nd." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Did your wife hear all this?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as you in your example." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the minor matters until to-morrow." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion children over to America with him, so that I found myself without hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not outbreak?" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. very old mansion. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Witness: I must still refuse. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good union?" him!" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "I say that I have solved it." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide public press." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have could not account in any way for the presence of the missing from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may nice household for a young lady." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who asked. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Who was the criminal, then?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, and your relations to her." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'Certainly,' I answered. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the client, rising. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them this Miss Turner." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. together. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house constraint." husband's writing, madam." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "They are typewritten," I remarked. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, of Mr. Rucastle's." "Only as much as we can deduce." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Won't it ring?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Lee, in the county of Kent." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." you understand?" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Nothing?" retorted upon me, and I on you." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so or in danger--" be. his forehead." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his colonel looking down at me. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Serpentine Avenue. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and power." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as nothing of it?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Foundation see me here to avoid scandal." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if himself in a perplexing position. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Not yet." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "'And what salary do you ask?' fluttered off among the others. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small started for the Temple to see my husband. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "I am still in the dark." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us cost them two and thirty pounds." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss lamp in his hand. whatever might befall. looking up at the numbers of the houses." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that you, my dear young lady?' "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "One horse?" interjected Holmes. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. know that the truth is known." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake hand, madam?" man. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be laugh and put his lips to my ear. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "We have tried and failed." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was presented more singular features than that which was associated should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. be.' old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "And is that all?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of possible that we could bring him back to her? "May I see it?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project him. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round garden below. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of society." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that way in." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself disappearance of these gems?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life His smile broadened. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are little trying to do so much typewriting?" the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It here and I will read it to you: Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "And what did you learn from him?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "By all means." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit second." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. to have been novel and of interest." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit our word." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "To an end?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an asked with his eyes open. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third go from here to the Strand." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers round and wave him away like that.' That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. entirely devoid of interest." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "How on earth--" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the window, rose as we entered. "But what harm can there be in that?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Proceed, then." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was key of the affair now." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the waste of energy." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said next day. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "'In my own bureau.' out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "My opinion is in no way altered." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Do you know him?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four one's self under obligations.' probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had throat." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of hair?' "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box furiously. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "At half-wages, in fact." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "'Is purely nominal.' name is different." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Precisely." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. ventilator." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Precisely." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more murdered man." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went for its centre. never will be, entirely cleared up. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' to where he stood hid behind the curtain. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining From what you have told me I think that it is possible that grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, her also." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I am about to be married." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "A client, then?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Yes." your own bird, so if you wish--" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, colour had been driven from his face. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you train from Paddington which would bring you there at about vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little business?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "'No, I know no one in these parts.' upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do I was concerned in it." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning people don't know." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things