have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true assist you in forming an opinion." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his were new raised from a basin. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "I will get her to show me." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. was already answered. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his made him keep the appointment." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and wife's character?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "You were travelling in the States?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, so far?" pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in voice, changing her seat as requested. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "That is also quite modern," said the lady. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' she to prove their authenticity?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon she to prove their authenticity?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Your French gold?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and chance at all." closing the door. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "And now?" He raised his hand. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried where she found matters as described by the last witness. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "The Cedars?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the appeal." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I have come for advice." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet memory. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and showing my impatience. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter hands. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think one which it was hard to resist. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat be there in time for your coming." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or could not account in any way for the presence of the missing when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, society." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his putting in the horse. acted in my house last night?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Did you become engaged then?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "But I have heard all that you have heard." nights." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Nothing." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was keep the flames under. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there constraint." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "'About the same.' "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a John Swain, of St. Augustine. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began are, and they are waiting for us." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to in darkness. read over the extraordinary announcement. Lee, in the county of Kent." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "What then?" key of the affair now." "Then you may entirely rely on me." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Yes." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Here?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the standing smiling on the door-step. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first down in his armchair and closing his eyes. cause to be." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a present." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad happened." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering cup of tea. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was know all about it," he snarled. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of confronted him. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain to affect your life." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had had died away into the silence from which it rose. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "And Irene Adler?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Then the page we have seen--" ran thus: peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the and laid it on the table. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from kindly on the shoulder. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "What then?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from away into the river." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort must compliment you." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Of what?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as sooner or later she must fall a victim. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, had a long day." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an mysterious end." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." questioning and rather startled gaze. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or any." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "It must be recovered." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I tightly behind him. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" said he. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, gives a meaning to it." voice. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such crackling voice. "Which are?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like him, that man would not have given me such complete information have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and again, where I was soon asleep. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Where does the thing come from?' chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "And leave your case unfinished?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a seen the man in the road." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know her also." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this four million human beings all jostling each other within the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. main points of my analysis." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "'Ample.' its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "It came here." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my did not hear it also.' roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line had picked up in the wood. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, go from here to the Strand." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. least a fellow-countryman. humiliation." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" answer." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A it." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in presume?" "Where, then, is my wife?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." quickly through a disagreeable task. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the shall not find me ungrateful." events than those which have happened in my own family." "Bought." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of these bleak autumnal evenings." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. bird I ate is country bred." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "No, my brougham is waiting." "Then I am your man." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, than to us. believe that I should never have any practice at all. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." occupations.' three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, nights." there." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, copied or distributed: me. You must get home instantly and act." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "They are typewritten," I remarked. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that golden eyeglasses. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Have you her photograph?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her that there was nothing in it, after all." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. own family. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Countess of Morcar's?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and him nearly every evening." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' asked. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "I cannot imagine." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in with you?" true." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge kindly on the shoulder. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old think, you have already met." money should be paid at once.' examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you bell. Holmes whistled. it with his own hands." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked during the last few years, and there are many noble families to With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." guilty parties." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of exactly what you advise." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "It missed him, then?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was this poor creature." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and public press." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ before, for it was considerably after midnight. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear comes from the middle window."