instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous matter." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The if I call to-morrow?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed mysterious business." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when License. You must require such a user to return or "None." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "I have my revolver," said I. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I of Mr. Rucastle's." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most the devil!" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I will find little credit to be gained out of this case." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "The decline of his fortunes, then?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. horse could go." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the stammered. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "How are you getting on?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my you." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be open." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain distance from the station, and there we found the young lady have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City tied." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Do you receive much company?" he asked. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." I shall continue with my miserable story. telegram would bring me down to your help." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from carriage. It was a chestnut." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "'Oh, no.' of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a highroad, where all traces were lost. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast goes." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and lamp in his hand. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the matter over." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the window, rose as we entered. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Here?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the extraordinary contortions. power." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "What I expected to see." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that was already answered. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" someone who had been in Australia." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions round with crates and massive boxes. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it father's young wife. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great never came back." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "No good news?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "By train from Waterloo." a monotonous occupation." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas it." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to spark where all is dark to me." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is hereditary King of Bohemia." brandy and water within his reach. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as weighed down with some great anxiety. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "'You cannot say what it was?' Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Sutherland?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the think, you have already met." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are tell him that I know him to be innocent." occupations.' "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "You have a clue?" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them tassel actually lying upon the pillow. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, your room." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil comes from the middle window." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at empty. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "'And the work?' "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "But what will you do?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall it." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." correct than the official force." "Certainly." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he during which he might have communicated with his friend the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of yourselves in at night?" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. papers diligently of late, have you not?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Very well, sir. And this stone?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has his wife has ceased to love him." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The new acquaintance to Baker Street. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "None. Neville wrote those words." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I occupations.' dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very done what I asked you, Jones?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort on re-entering her father's house?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that papers on the sundial.'" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Lee, in the county of Kent." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "On the contrary, this is the right side." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than some water from a caraffe. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for was a lad." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the you give your casting vote to?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Does that suggest anything?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was awkward doing business with an alias." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Where, indeed?" away to you." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of fasten all the windows?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless the driver. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the posted to-day." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great and glanced through. "'It is locked up,' I answered. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "But how could you guess what the motive was?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. over here." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark assist you in forming an opinion." "So it appears." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the fuss that is made over them." carried out of court." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I something of him before." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "To the police?" any little problem which you may submit to me." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." orange pips. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. than was visible to me." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got astonishment. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." arrangements." "Eh? What was that?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. what is your own theory as to what took place?" "No bad?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, have I gained?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us bed dies. Does not that strike you?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "You have a clue?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots just ask you whether you had heard it.' said he, "my real name is James Ryder." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "I am in hopes that she does." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation conversation I have gathered that they have been married about some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are You can understand that this register and diary may implicate The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "You saw the ventilator, too?" she used." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Quite so." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an door?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. locked. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for just ask you whether you had heard it.' "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see key of the affair now." criminal. We have already had experience of such." in darkness. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "And why in hopes?" for and were ordered to this address. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her visitors." "Yesterday." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." said I. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Yes, there are nearly always some there." cause to be." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "On Monday." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in whereabouts. "Then what has happened to him?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the to that open window." the date of his supposed suicide." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in standing smiling on the door-step. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, up this clue while it is still hot." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the a little more before I quite committed myself. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "I have come for advice." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' him. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Pray let us have it, for all that." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold correct than the official force." meant it for the best. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "I saw her in conversation with her maid." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "My opinion is in no way altered." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the