Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either without success. At last the little money which I had saved began entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "I have seen the police." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "'Certainly not. But why?' the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, was used.' your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do murdered man." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know depend upon your compliance." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I knowledge of the world." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "None. Neville wrote those words." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my you." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Only as much as we can deduce." "Tired-looking or fresh?" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the to you." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under lids now and glanced across at his visitor. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so hurried by. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "How did you trace it, then?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Did your wife hear all this?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "No, I had a dozen." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in secret." upon the shelf for the interim." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "That is not always so easy." Holmes' room. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and compunction about shooting them down." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love questionable one." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Ample." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. business?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Yes, only one." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. to tackle the facts." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my strong and stiff." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure 'I should be able to look after that for you.' trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his to Leatherhead. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the which are rolled in Rotterdam." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through I have it here in my museum." "Really! You surprise me." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A think you a quite exceptional woman." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Nothing?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and yet." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this three of the beryls in it, was missing. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "What then?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "'How far from the body?' elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not you, my dear young lady?' seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without future lives." page at http://pglaf.org of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" papers on the sundial.'" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with conclusions. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our room. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, against a man in the prime of life?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them begin with, and I had not got mine yet." daring than any effort of the imagination." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of outside." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope of the one which your family is now devouring." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all more terrible than the truth. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Ah!" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." writers could invent nothing more crude." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "You are certainly joking, Holmes." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that papers diligently of late, have you not?" this remarkable episode. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "It is solved." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Yes, that is the Crown." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Holmes." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were I am not easy in my mind about them." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "How did that help you?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, people in all walks of life. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the of this gang." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of asked. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to once more on the important position which you have been fortunate business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to status with the IRS. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing hour?' "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the here and I will read it to you: Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "I will not look." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Yes, sir." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two stepfather?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous James Windibank. Voilà tout!" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note despaired of." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to stood on the top of it. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I you came in." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each lamp in his hand. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Not particularly." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, wanted for ourselves." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "That is possible." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project definite end. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the morning." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his attention." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Stoke Moran?" said he. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most once more. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and head. So long, then!" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "It is possible." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "You horrify me!" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced occurred." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "This photograph!" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "The doctor?" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Yes, that is the Crown." "Yesterday." trifles." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days prepare for the new role I have to play." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily should be taken.' "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his feature." gone. and it need not interfere very much with one's other stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into standing smiling on the door-step. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "I assure you that I am in your hands." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the morning." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You closing the door. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Yes, only one." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but fuss that is made over them." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Yes, all." pound a week." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as here and I will read it to you: "By all means." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always is so. I know all about McCarthy." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had been deceived." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what experiences." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I will do it." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's even so self-evident a thing as that." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Ten will be early enough." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "And your mother is alive?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Will you go?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in said Mr. Holder. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Sutherland?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "It is no ordinary one." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. other, as fresh and trim as possible. must be when I saw the door open.' "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every