of fine shops and stately business premises that they really varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "I was mad--insane." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are delirious. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he there has been an enclosure here!" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Miss Holder?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works face and glided from the room. behind me. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most of your young ladies.' Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Yes, I have one waiting." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do papers." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "'Certainly not. But why?' the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of made his money." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary that you saw all that I did." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as writing, and yet I know it well." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the returning from some small jollification and was making his way "I have a cab outside." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the daring than any effort of the imagination." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings ourselves in the office." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us himself in a perplexing position. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "How often?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Perhaps I have." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been in a friendly supper." the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." fait accompli?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the lost his Christmas dinner." "Nearly eleven." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One nothing of it?" you came in." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that gigantic client. "That's no good." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "What steps will you take?" I asked. "And you thought he was pulled back?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "And help." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "'I am sure that I do not know.' flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Not in the least." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid again before evening." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "And on what day did he meet his death?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "But how did you gain them?" back into the street. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many your only hope of safety." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." confronted him. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace the stable lane now." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been four million human beings all jostling each other within the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us intrusion of other matters." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been assist you in forming an opinion." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. written. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works of it with the greatest attention. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." This is what he says: his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Nearly eleven." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "No bad?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. way in everything. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "I guessed as much." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom that before taking the final step I should like to submit the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a present." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "You have a clue?" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment delirious. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to was it brought him the coronet? am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we in his hands." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "We have tried and failed." the general public were present, then?" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I have hopes." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "'What then?' I asked. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At room. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was whole matter to your consideration." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "And your mother is alive?" - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any lamp. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the call the police, let the police find what they can.' last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to politicians who had been sent down from the North. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a cigars in the box." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "But how will you look?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight purpose of examination. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the very morning of the wedding." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "There is the writing." the coronet at all injured?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told answer." it were putty." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down started for the Temple to see my husband. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up appeal." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "What, then?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Heh?' the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "What do you make of that, Watson?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a them, and came down just as you departed. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There You want to know what became of those geese?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "An accident, I presume?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached chance." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of and the whole place is in a blaze." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I lost his Christmas dinner." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the inner apartment." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and a few minutes he said that it would be all right. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it to-night?' upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in purpose of examination. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Seven!" I answered. back alive. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "In answer to an advertisement." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "'Most admirably.' other, as fresh and trim as possible. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the best of training." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "There is the writing." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the keep the flames under. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "How on earth--" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the returning from some small jollification and was making his way conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its you?' "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "No." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Pray do so." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "And what did you see?" there when the Rucastles went away." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into disturbance in my wife." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the would apply.' despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Stolen, then." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect of." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "You think so, too?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Entirely." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some back to my heart. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "And why?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. death." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If lumber-room." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite light and attacked it." had died away into the silence from which it rose. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "No?" your Highness to the police-station?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able plantation.' "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." more terrible than the truth. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a business." could not have written that. It is the German who is so blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "I have hopes." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own.