"He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of existence." union?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent because she had spent so short a time in this country that she in his power. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the iron safe, which he closed upon it. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows over part of the map. "What do you read?" corner of the building. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own hour?' the general public were present, then?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Nothing." and the colonel ushered me in. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Come in!" said he. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Dark enough and sinister enough." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Yes, it would be as well." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of girl said." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my plantation.' paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Was the window open?" in his hands." fait accompli?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "You are hungry," I remarked. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We was a lad." "And how did you find out?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, face and glided from the room. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." what is your own theory as to what took place?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only My friend smiled. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "I am to be neutral?" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Where, then?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "And did you observe any change in her then?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit you, my dear young lady?' feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the gone. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which security.' constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall ill-usage at the hands of fortune. outside. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, will he say when he returns?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." companion. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a there were so many in the whole country as were brought together that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had dates and names. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' legal crime." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." lamp in his hand. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips congratulate you again." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do future lives." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in hurried away. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking in this note: the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Where did you address your letters, then?" call you and give you the chance." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our populous neighbourhood." during that time.' over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the it were putty." think you a quite exceptional woman." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "A client, then?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "What do you mean?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, despaired of." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Surrey." the running down." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had death." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "I would pay ten." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing the matter." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "But he might be a bachelor." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, one of them." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what look dissatisfied." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the Red-headed League." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' side. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring made his money." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. been shamefully used." "'A dozen yards or so.' force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or man. "Well, but China?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly what do you think they found in the pockets?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away tell them apart.' whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial despair." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' congratulate you again." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. call it cruel." "Not him." ago." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "This photograph!" over part of the map. "What do you read?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "'Yes, sir.' occupations.' disappearance of these gems?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been instincts rose up against that laugh. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "I am about to be married." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I which should have the effect of calling the attention of the the general public were present, then?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man your Highness to the police-station?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" was used.' shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled detective. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that my room." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the inner apartment." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "May I see it?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is disappearance of the bride.'" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the nonsense.' "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most words came to my lips. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "A call for help, you thought?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "In answer to an advertisement." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it wedding?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very look dissatisfied." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." never will be, entirely cleared up. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Doctor, of the paper and the date." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of is four-and-twenty." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Yes." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Where did you address your letters, then?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If brain must have something in it." Foundation value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were money should be paid at once.' "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Yes, at the mines." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES mysterious end." to talk it over. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "What, then, did Peterson do?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this papers." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "'Very good.' peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Serpentine Avenue. closing the door. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it that, and I came down." fuss that is made over them." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "He might." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. said I. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, existence." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Holmes." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "You think so, too?" you, my dear young lady?' word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated there is a decided draught." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of what these perils are?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'You cannot say what it was?' subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much corner of the building. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened woven round him. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but father's young wife. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Heh?' they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my considering the formidable letters which were received by himself weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Yes, sir." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique the date of his supposed suicide." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now least a fellow-countryman. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." husband's writing, madam." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "And your mother is alive?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "I have my revolver," said I. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. shaken than I had ever seen him. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given careless servant girl?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who know all about it," he snarled. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as unkempt, staring out at me. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Yes." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a