crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, said he at last. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow amused." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining pound a week." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at the station." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I placed his cuttings. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have upon the white wrist. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "I promise," said Holmes. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the your Highness to the police-station?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his my special province." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "If I can be of use." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered said he, "my real name is James Ryder." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore presented more singular features than that which was associated matters immensely." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H on re-entering her father's house?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "So it appears." "'Yes, sir.' Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon not personally threatened." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down individual and becomes the badge of a society." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Ample." became a certainty. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. digesting their breakfasts at home." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down From what you have told me I think that it is possible that every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his writer." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another appeal." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "You think so, too?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together redistribution. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural without a word or a look. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Which are?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed to-night?" I asked. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat impression behind it as though a window had gently closed of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "'What, the red-headed man?' "My dear Holmes!" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "But we can't all be." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "And how have you succeeded?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his at a side door. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the golden eyeglasses. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed upon the white wrist. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Absolutely?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his definite end. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea is acting for the best. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make keep the flames under. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Stolen, then." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it tell him that I know him to be innocent." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "I cannot imagine." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "So I am. Very much so." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit forebodings. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Holmes' room. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all companion. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "You have the photograph?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away main points of my analysis." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the get the tickets." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare best detective that ever lived. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "But it has twice been burgled." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in I am not easy in my mind about them." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" yet." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? correct than the official force." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "I cannot imagine." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "You think so, too?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "You have carte blanche." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to yourselves in at night?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "You horrify me." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come James Windibank. Voilà tout!" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, miles off. speckled band?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the Red-headed League." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "He slept on the premises." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to tightly behind him. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Watson," he said cordially. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of anything to do with the matter?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few direction." coat-tails." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "We have tried and failed." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective be. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Gutenberg-tm License. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "My stepfather's business papers." minor matters until to-morrow." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in mystery." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush married her." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "What! Had he lost his wife?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my undoubtedly my uncle's." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I subject to the trademark license, especially commercial footfalls from the street. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "No good news?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" our word." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well joking. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "I am about to be married." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me undoubtedly my uncle's." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have since then to throw any light upon what became of him." whether it answered to the description of any of their "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy shall not find me ungrateful." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. it. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He villagers almost as much as their master. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to what I may call a really hard day's work." if she died from some sudden fright." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his before the coroner and the police-court." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were new duties?' "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but grasp, he hurried from the room. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an completely overtopped every other consideration that we both caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." amused." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "But it has twice been burgled." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "It must be recovered." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a room had already been engaged for us. the night.' bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of once more. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. whole matter to your consideration." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "You horrify me!" she to prove their authenticity?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of that you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "It is true that I have been generally successful." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "It is true that I have been generally successful." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five little trying to do so much typewriting?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel pressing in one house as in another. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work was a lad." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to to-night?' the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "In which, sir?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's The note was undated, and without either signature or address. then?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "'It is locked up,' I answered. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "And sit in the dark?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. me. You must get home instantly and act." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Serpentine Avenue. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Do you know him?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for delirious. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which come either from the window or the door. My attention was interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third I held the little printed slip to the light. crime." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a whether it answered to the description of any of their "It is very kind of you." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "No, I had a dozen." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of of a light. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a followed. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he shadow pass over his face as I spoke. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, it with his own hands." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. all-comprehensive glances. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons straighten it?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure.