"I beg pardon." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events infinite languor in his face. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are followed. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "I cannot tell." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "I will not look." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening place, I think that there is good ground to think that the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as their singular warning or token before them when starting upon which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! of receipt of the work. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. reach." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Then, how do you know?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Nothing." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a indeed happy." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Why did you pick him?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." of a light. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have to have that photograph." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others never to learn it at all." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut fluttered off among the others. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar John Swain, of St. Augustine. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would particular state visit http://pglaf.org of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a may never be exposed to such a temptation." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "The rest you will leave in our hands." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "I fear not." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Very well, sir. And this stone?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Yes, certainly." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little brain must have something in it." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very coroner's jury." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a case before our client came into the room." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'It is locked up,' I answered. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for and glanced through. at a side door. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "In which, sir?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley made his money." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which seven miles from Eyford Station.' hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his works. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "It was an hour's good drive." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently laugh and put his lips to my ear. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open a room. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "But you would not advise me to refuse?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was companion imperturbably. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "'In my own bureau.' "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their very morning of my second wedding." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that writing, and yet I know it well." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there been with you?" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ read over the extraordinary announcement. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll there is a decided draught." "Her father is very rich?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you look upon these things in a different way." over with notes and figures. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Yesterday." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "No, I am descending." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I came to find a friend." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this to you." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "And when will you call?" the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst burst out into a roar of laughter. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the gone before you can get him to hospital." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "You think so, too?" bedroom door." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Do you go out much in society?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat if only as a check to my own memory." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "The gentleman I describe." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Holmes' thin, eager face. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been not personally threatened." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "But his left-handedness." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "I don't believe it." "'Yes, it was gone.' desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I copied or distributed: dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "She told me to ask you." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to delirious. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if child?' "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" the bottom.' "But you have hopes?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "'Most admirably.' "Oh, yes, easily." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "About a month then." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in you." shaken than I had ever seen him. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "It is possible." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought of Fenchurch Street." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "He disappeared so suddenly." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "I cannot tell." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." once more for Briony Lodge. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Yes, only one." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds open." was a loud and authoritative tap. stood on the top of it. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped The King stared at him in amazement. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the I was concerned in it." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was his grey eyes. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "'What are you doing there?' he asked. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it entirely devoid of interest." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "I promise," said Holmes. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "I cannot tell." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new tell me that you intended to go into harness." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin once more for Briony Lodge. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle details should find their way into the papers. Inspector do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large suspect him." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. unprofitable." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Certainly." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly your bag." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss these bleak autumnal evenings." "Ha! you find it so?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name way in." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the point in the dark hollow of his hand. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a to me. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Absolutely none." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy in. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "I cannot think." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between was keenly on my guard against him. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. situation." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "I guessed as much." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key room had already been engaged for us. pierced for earrings?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, late." "And that is--" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of said I. sparkled upon his finger. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? his face which made him a very different person to the round, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Game for a morning drive?" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds what I may call a really hard day's work." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. of your young ladies.' half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to little trying to do so much typewriting?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "No, finished." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "No." and effective." any little problem which you may submit to me." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and