deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards which should have the effect of calling the attention of the a good hundred miles off by now." upon a handsome competence. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's enough to aid us in our search." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most in the dead of the night?' arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." wife's character?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "No. What a strange idea!" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An children over to America with him, so that I found myself without he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, less than 26s. 4d. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Certainly, madam." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "I would pay ten." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Nothing." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when direction." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She presented more singular features than that which was associated "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came not as remarkable as your advertisement." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "But your client--" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce true." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! main points of my analysis." Does that suggest anything?" may have an influence upon European history." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Where to?" "I was mad--insane." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Certainly." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel from the brougham. here and I will read it to you: is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'How far from the body?' looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at any little problem which you may submit to me." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be row." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one villagers almost as much as their master. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may to-morrow." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked empty. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting companion quietly. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, once more to my work. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "You have the photograph?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Oh, fresh and glossy." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "'I have heard so.' Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, said he at last. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is him, that man would not have given me such complete information from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' sake, don't!" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by for the market.' salesman. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel new duties?' "And it is--" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom power." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy cigars in their mouths. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over help us in this matter." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into people don't know." true." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in chance at all." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the wedding?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty forbidden door. "'Never.' the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Did he not advertise?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "BALLARAT." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his 'please.'" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Breckinridge is his name." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Yes." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" the window, rose as we entered. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, should be taken.' attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the King without delay." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Yes, they were peculiar boots." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "I cannot imagine." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," forehead. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "On Monday." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Nearly eleven." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been what is your own theory as to what took place?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Young McCarthy must be got off, however." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "10th. John Swain cleared. Holmes' thin, eager face. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his four million human beings all jostling each other within the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at rooms." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Pool. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: one of the states of the Union." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my there." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire our word." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Then how many are there?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building threw himself down with his face to the pillow. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are late." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble is so. I know all about McCarthy." fat-encircled eyes. "Never." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Ten will be early enough." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the and wait." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of pound a week." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He unclasping of his long thin hands. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set your bag." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting to his chemical studies. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is families. Now for the facts. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast your most interesting statement." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past his face which made him a very different person to the round, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and lumber-room." "Quite so." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of lost nothing by them." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of clang of the bell. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer was a lad." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of DAMAGE. "Come in!" said Holmes. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "None." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your when your master had gone out." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in away to you." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property were unconscious?" "I say it is." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across again." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Doctor, of the paper and the date." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would to-night." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "'Ten to two.' got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Holmes. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "What! Had he lost his wife?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm was keenly on my guard against him. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "By no means." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But good for you to do.' of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an was keenly on my guard against him. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. drawing your inferences." even so self-evident a thing as that." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in companion quietly. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took absolutely follow my advice in every respect." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. we went to search for him, face downward in a little game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "But I am all in the dark." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "And is that all?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could look upon these things in a different way." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which made his money." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and union?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "It surprised me." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Very. But will he see it?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Yes, he did." confronted him. foot. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." an introduction to him?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "That is also quite modern," said the lady. that he has suffered." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "I was mad--insane." have got?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Then he might have called to you?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his presume?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "It is possible." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a there in twenty minutes." "Not in the least." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Pray continue your narrative." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination fatally injured? line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. people in all walks of life. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from writers could invent nothing more crude." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Precisely so. But how--" "Never." Literary Archive Foundation important." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 with some details as to your case." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to