"A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "What, then, did Peterson do?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the I nodded again. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Holmes, the busybody!" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "I am sure." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day is four-and-twenty." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would corner of the building. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY case before our client came into the room." to arrive at through this?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. do." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour breakfast and whispered something to her husband. opportunities to fix the problem. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Yes, certainly." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." figure." outside. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "But you were on a friendly footing?" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had highly," said Holmes. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Yes?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** or in danger--" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it information in his hands the value of which he did not himself reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was that I can to serve you." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "An enemy?" chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the could not have written that. It is the German who is so my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your that?' the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Then, how do you know?" "One?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "What I expected to see." points to suicide?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found that I am arrested." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it his cane at the bell-pull. bedroom door." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "My opinion is in no way altered." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the in his hands." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you presented which may be striking and bizarre without being contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "And when will you call?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of definite end. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there them?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "My Mary? Impossible!" five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "It was an hour's good drive." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "How can you tell that?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Pope's Court. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "She walked into the breakfast-room." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Did your wife hear all this?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been seen the man in the road." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was most interesting one." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite James Windibank. Voilà tout!" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This it means?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the conduct the inquiry." "So I am. Very much so." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. retorted upon me, and I on you." Project Gutenberg-tm works. "My photograph." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "At half-wages, in fact." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "My dear Holmes!" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, My friend smiled. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that your billet.' one or two very singular points about this room. For example, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "And is that all?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Perfectly so." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "What can you not understand?" "It surprised me." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. affair. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "But I have heard all that you have heard." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The felt the room to be a little close.' disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Yes, only one." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events instituted." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Witness: It was. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "There is the writing." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE suspect him." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Never to return." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "But you have hopes?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his brandy and water within his reach. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." ashen face. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building next day. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were him and tried to hold him back. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his prepare for the new role I have to play." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features front of me. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "And did you observe any change in her then?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary nothing of it?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'I am sure if I had known--' "Only as much as we can deduce." had picked up in the wood. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "BALLARAT." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He interested in these little problems, and since you are good over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about 11:15.' "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone to some other building. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "It is very kind of you." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain figure." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "But you have hopes?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of congenial hunt. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and one of the states of the Union." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A families. Now for the facts. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' to affect your life." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Only as much as we can deduce." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his mystery." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I place, I think that there is good ground to think that the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Oh, the cause is excellent!" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and stammered. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the detained." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Can I be of assistance?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. to have been novel and of interest." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked he bowed and left the room without another word. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his other means.' absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "'It is locked up,' I answered. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Not particularly." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Have you her photograph?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and call you and give you the chance." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Certainly." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman had this final quarrel? brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my I nodded to show that I had heard. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your had a long day." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, bearing upon the case." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Yes, it would be as well." colonel looking down at me. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "The landlord of the Alpha." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to his grey eyes. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I acquaintance?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his light and attacked it." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "You forget that I know nothing about it." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the quick march!" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "9th. McCauley cleared. behind me. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid hurried away. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Then the page we have seen--" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, daring than any effort of the imagination." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the The summons was a brief and urgent one. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was is entirely a question of barometric pressure." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Certainly, madam." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "None. Neville wrote those words." you?" at my own good fortune. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Do you go out much in society?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Which are?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "On Monday." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "He is dead," cried several voices. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is opened a pocket-book and took out a note. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "'Never,' said I. case before our client came into the room."