The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His hour." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "And what did you see?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven some water from a caraffe. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Eh? What was that?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "By all means." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "And how have you succeeded?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Henry Baker is a member." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Perhaps we may make them less so." be.' that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Get out!" said he. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Where is it, then?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in crime. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "May I see it?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the formed some opinion?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Was the window open?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." enough to aid us in our search." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "You have the photograph?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel your own bird, so if you wish--" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Chief Executive and Director Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of cause to be." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was carried out of court." ordinary clothes on?" true." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "My dear Holmes!" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one a very grave face. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to For additional contact information: "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. I nodded again. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "But I am all in the dark." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the which we had just quitted. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet me. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Your French gold?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "She showed me, as I told you she would." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both then?" if only as a check to my own memory." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to to arrive at through this?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Mrs. Toller serenely. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of some water from a caraffe. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. ourselves in the office." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four man. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss spark where all is dark to me." roused himself from his reverie. nonsense.' "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to The note was undated, and without either signature or address. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Eyford at 11:15.' this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other joking. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which weighed down with some great anxiety. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Yes, from Horsham." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "What I expected to see." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. crowd. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little DISSOLVED. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we in the port of London." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "That you are never beaten." envelope. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you late!' it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "He said too much." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open looking up at the numbers of the houses." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the conceal it?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Foundation "I assure you that I am in your hands." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "You were travelling in the States?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our shall use the carriage to-night." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Yes, but only for you and me." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was lumber-room." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to here." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission not, dad?" she asked. you?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "And why?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather have accepted such a situation. away into the river." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not had a long day." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the the very morning of the wedding." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a was lame." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both The King stared at him in amazement. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was matter over." "But the mystery?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Whose house is it?" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "One of his hands." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Then I can wait in the next room." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Your sister is dead, then?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "The landlord of the Alpha." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old crowd. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an once more. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong this poor creature." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in there has been an enclosure here!" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Yes." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Farm upon the left." there has been an enclosure here!" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "I have seen the police." a good hundred miles off by now." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. extraordinary contortions. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "What are they?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Quite so. She has her freedom." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so outbreak?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "How did you deduce the select?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. a room. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the speckled band?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable some terrible trap for her." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four carried out of court." that he will be back before evening." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "But you have hopes?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman morning." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "'I have already given you my word.' down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Oh, fresh and glossy." Sholtos." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a call you and give you the chance." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I anything to a woman, for she would have her way." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we upon the shelf for the interim." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, emerged. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and you do it in twenty minutes!' upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "9th. McCauley cleared. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "I don't say that. Perhaps." "That also I could fathom." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with kind enough to tell me what I should do." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Never." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court way in." "Then I can wait in the next room." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the it." nice household for a young lady." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I will not take me long to tell. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story The King stared at him in amazement. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent that there was nothing in it, after all." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do been." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem their singular warning or token before them when starting upon what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until over here." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent instincts rose up against that laugh. would apply.' purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "The Coroner: What do you mean? should be so warm over such a trifle." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he my secret was safe in his possession. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the it. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "His face fell immediately. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She families. Now for the facts. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. again." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug strength in the others." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done tassel actually lying upon the pillow. seven miles from Eyford Station.' As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the flock.' "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo