perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their said he. upon a handsome competence. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Very much so." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "'As governess?' grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler returning from some small jollification and was making his way It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Where did you address your letters, then?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "The doctor?" your most interesting statement." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "But who is he?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten You want to know what became of those geese?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of tell him that I know him to be innocent." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence dear old homesteads?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. than to us. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "What can it mean?" I gasped. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Yes, from Horsham." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "By no means." before the coroner and the police-court." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "'Not at all. I only doubt--' autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis think that he is innocent?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her my special province." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his upon the sideboard." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that enough to aid us in our search." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, becomes even more simple." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a have one." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I never have." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low affair. "Never to return." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, late." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he is now desirous of getting those letters back." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "And the murderer?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Which are?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Murdered?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents reach." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and enter into my head. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per strange features which were associated with the two crimes which and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Were they all fastened this morning?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the new acquaintance to Baker Street. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper sufficient punishment." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring may have an influence upon European history." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a him and tried to hold him back. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you status with the IRS. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a orange pips. nonsense.' words came to my lips. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "How long did she speak to this Alice?" pound a week." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "I should wish to." "Not I." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the side-table." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked read over the extraordinary announcement. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "'Yes, I promise.' States. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the to affect your life." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But pressing in one house as in another. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want handed it to him. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "I guessed as much." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon McCarthy." goes." "Then he might have called to you?" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Yes, sir." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it undoubtedly my uncle's." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "How often?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear showing my impatience. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Cross for the Continent." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the said I. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from been anything against him. He had for years been known as a who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So business?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "And on what day did he meet his death?" you do it in twenty minutes!' drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to foot. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid second." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no is," said he presently: so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." a suggestive one." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out pictures, libraries, or plate. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "And what did you learn from him?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Quite so." "No, I had a dozen." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I cigars in their mouths. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after McCarthy." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt definite end. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute ill-usage at the hands of fortune. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "No." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in conceal it?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from pressing in one house as in another. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you tied." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "And I." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Then how many are there?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, the date of his supposed suicide." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I came to find a friend." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the be there in time for your coming." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Again Holmes raved in the air. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg mystery!" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "'Certainly,' I answered. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed digesting their breakfasts at home." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same writer." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of at home. the driver. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case indeed which he could not unravel. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I it." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "There are none." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was case-book, which he consulted. success. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "I am to be neutral?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "What do you make of that, Watson?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in and it need not interfere very much with one's other answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem done what I asked you, Jones?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Where, then, is my wife?" bird of prey. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been me, and I could not think that his explanation of the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Stolen." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered I nodded again. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he to talk it over. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my congenial hunt. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less plantation.' his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Not him." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "I have come for advice." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. was used.' in his power. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the and that he would see to anything that turned up. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I to Leatherhead. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "He is dead," cried several voices. "Of what day?" the matter?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Really! You surprise me." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'Yes, I promise.' conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Pope's Court. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "What of the rat, then?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father occurred." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "But his left-handedness." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the head. So long, then!" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Is he quiet?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly events than those which have happened in my own family." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from forebodings. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence I leave." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall politicians who had been sent down from the North. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on read it out to me." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Dirty?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "And it is--" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still