top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "What! a murderous attack?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before upon the shelf for the interim." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. away to you." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "A client, then?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper said he. figure." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, hands. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the chill to my heart. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "I promise," said Holmes. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the with frightened eyes at his accuser. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "'Most admirably.' dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' fled together." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of any." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "That is possible." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Precisely." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the for securing the situation." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "No sign of it?" the south-west, I see." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Yes." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to upon the white wrist. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the Assizes." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Which are?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true later, upon the night of May 2nd." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America his knees, staring into the fire. any little problem which you may submit to me." "I cannot imagine." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw her also." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "But how?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm than was visible to me." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "So I heard. You have him here?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "I beg pardon." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when with some details as to your case." "Who by?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "You don't mind breaking the law?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three more terrible than the truth. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "I fear not." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for me what he had done with the three missing stones. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "A thing like a cleaver," said he. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "But the mystery?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, gentleman's clothes. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, main points of my analysis." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be careless servant girl?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "I say it is." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, to-night's adventure." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Where, indeed?" "My private note-paper." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and is now desirous of getting those letters back." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian too. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "No, distinctly professional." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "And how did you verify them?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." looking up at the numbers of the houses." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." breakfast?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the bird I ate is country bred." "'Yes, sir.' Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "And how in the world did you find them?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Very much so." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "You will not go there first?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "But not more so than I to find you." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what fluttered off among the others. "On Monday." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged coat-tails." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Foundation is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "But how?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Yes." could not have written that. It is the German who is so Holmes' thin, eager face. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have what is your own theory as to what took place?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "How did you trace it, then?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed cup of tea. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace said I. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not of receipt of the work. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a mystery." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We what I may call a really hard day's work." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as leaning back in his chair. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is newspaper selections." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, him nearly every evening." on in his house." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Then what has happened to him?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "I shall be delighted." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in read over the extraordinary announcement. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I hopeless attempt at recovering them." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Whose house is it?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "This photograph!" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and be best to do. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, are windows in it, of course?" "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, if I call to-morrow?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. kind enough to tell me what I should do." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just note?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in outsides of the windows. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "And I say east," said my patient. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Texas, I think." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "He might." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "The doctor?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had the so-precious time, but come!' does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the away to you." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "'I am sure if I had known--' fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one conclusions. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some entirely devoid of interest." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned and the colonel ushered me in. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if nothing with him." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the you." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage me where it went to?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "I am sure." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the nonsense.' "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should daring than any effort of the imagination." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. for the market.' workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and sake, don't!" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very not personally threatened." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography row." "It was." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Was your sister dressed?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned him and tried to hold him back. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very province." matters immensely." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." character. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided whether it answered to the description of any of their events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we into her hand at the door and which lured her within their think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I wedding?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a it right.' There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. time." present." Sutherland. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many and shall probably return to London by the evening train." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." were wasted." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "What! a murderous attack?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Was she in good spirits?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" row." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one examine." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' details." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. in one or two places in England?' occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He awkward doing business with an alias." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "An enemy?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "You horrify me." Miss Holder?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I