"I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should said he. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "He said too much." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there appeal." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "That is also quite modern," said the lady. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "To the police?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are joking. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "'Tell me all about it,' said I. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by him, that man would not have given me such complete information only touch the interest." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If kind enough to tell me what I should do." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "'Yes, sir.' My friend smiled. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "I shall be delighted." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on fat-encircled eyes. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I deduce something from that?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a tell him that I know him to be innocent." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, disappearance of the bride.'" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended money should be paid at once.' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though had a long day." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when present." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting he. "Not him." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? with frightened eyes at his accuser. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back once more to my work. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my with you alone." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I highly," said Holmes. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "No legal papers or certificates?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom of the one which your family is now devouring." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, shoulder; "he's all right." "'Yes, sir.' wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom to his chemical studies. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where entirely lost his self-respect." one of them." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and gbnewby@pglaf.org formed some opinion?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' bed dies. Does not that strike you?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Eyford." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "And how?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the his fortune, and I went back to pa. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite upon an income of about 60 pounds." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs had a long day." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "It is true that I have been generally successful." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this as this. Pray let me have the details." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Street. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should companion quietly. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. business in the City. She little knew what. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his posted to-day." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the derbies." "Quite so. She has her freedom." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his see me here to avoid scandal." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Street. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of indeed which he could not unravel. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such ill-usage at the hands of fortune. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On money should be paid at once.' looking up at the numbers of the houses." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry that he will be back before evening." held up the lantern and gazed about him. said he. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "'I shall certainly be there.' iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue perplexity from it to my illustrious client. open." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." know all about it," he snarled. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." purpose equally well?" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Really! You surprise me." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Not yet." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Dark enough and sinister enough." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and not as remarkable as your advertisement." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the your co-operation." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "But how?" excitement. arrested. You then--" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, the station." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of occupations.' "You did not overhear what they said?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without newspaper selections." you, my dear young lady?' rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "How on earth--" "Murdered?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Mrs. Toller serenely. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. some city in a dream. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "And how in the world did you find them?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "I have my revolver," said I. "Quite so." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a was feeling which was the fattest.' "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir eat it." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "ARAT," I read. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive in this way: forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "You have compromised yourself seriously." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "It is his hat." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'Certainly not. But why?' "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Imitated." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your threw himself down with his face to the pillow. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." legal crime." done what I asked you, Jones?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring hour?' can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, everything which you would wish to know." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "'Is purely nominal.' "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen fact, we may call it conclusive." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during examine." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while swore that no one else had been in the front room during the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "'Ample.' weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Yes." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the I have it here in my museum." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, But Holmes shook his head gravely. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Will you bet, then?" events, Mr. Windibank!" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "But who is he?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "What! a murderous attack?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "How many? I don't know." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Holmes." "But it has twice been burgled." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "'And what salary do you ask?' after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and when you have done it." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Again Holmes raved in the air. "And you thought he was pulled back?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned help us in this matter." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely felt?"