against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with the night.' earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a jewels which you have stolen?' carried out of court." affair. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my him nearly every evening." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My father's young wife. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Nearly eleven." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." could not have written that. It is the German who is so afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the salesman. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put children over to America with him, so that I found myself without to have been novel and of interest." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "I would pay ten." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip chemical work which was so dear to him. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "We were both in the photograph." pictures, libraries, or plate. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A newspaper selections." "I should wish to." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. people in all walks of life. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she wall." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the me where it went to?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "I am all attention, madam." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each interests were the same as his." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some which should have the effect of calling the attention of the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. hopeless attempt at recovering them." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying all?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and than to us. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that bird I ate is country bred." there when the Rucastles went away." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you returned to France?" Heh?' from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray yet." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "BALLARAT." Lee, in the county of Kent." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Indeed! Whose, then?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he I was concerned in it." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, will take you up to see the machine.' number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "But I have heard all that you have heard." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End there!' from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed locked." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "And how did he make his money?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, seen the man in the road." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if straighten it?" you in your example." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's http://gutenberg.net/license). was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, all?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the points to suicide?" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Well?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the and put his glass in his pocket. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "I will try. What is it?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as searched, without anything being found which could incriminate paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "It must be recovered." face and glided from the room. I held the little printed slip to the light. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Very truly yours, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible could not account in any way for the presence of the missing platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Yes, it would be as well." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "And how have you succeeded?" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Where is it, then?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "One of his hands." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I what do you think they found in the pockets?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "ARAT," I read. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine photograph?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "I have a cab outside." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "'There is a drive, then?' "I should like to see him very much." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into criminal. We have already had experience of such." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway lamp. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "It missed him, then?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from served to weaken the effect. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided know that the truth is known." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "What then?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the tell them apart.' "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." annoyance, but no jest. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault with frightened eyes at his accuser. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has occupations.' alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the house with me." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." breakfast." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that himself to tell his story. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "To an end?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Where, then?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "'And what are they worth?' I asked. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have village inn over there?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess she to prove their authenticity?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Then I can wait in the next room." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could McCarthy's innocence. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "It is very kind of you." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Really! You surprise me." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Dark enough and sinister enough." persecution?" waste of energy." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the ceiling. acted in my house last night?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, main points of my analysis." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small suddenly upon us." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the window, rose as we entered. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "'What then?' I asked. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and name is different." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "To an end?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Is he quiet?" humiliation." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, peculiar to him. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments his fortune, and I went back to pa. "My own seal." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Again Holmes raved in the air. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Well?" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "But what harm can there be in that?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the happened." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Then what has happened to him?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such directors, with the result that you have seen." she might be summoned. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest retorted upon me, and I on you." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do II. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the looking up at the numbers of the houses." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs to you." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "By train from Waterloo." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Could he throw no light?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Never." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have imbecility!" he cried. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the door?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All already referred to. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce rat could hardly pass through." "Yesterday." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' enter into my head. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it waste of energy." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish him." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "In answer to an advertisement." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view interest. They are important, you understand, without being whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Holmes' face clouded over. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had It may be so in this case, also." Chief Executive and Director "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing country, and eventually married, without anyone having a line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'What then?' I asked. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "It is true that I have been generally successful." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES questionable one." companion. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I again, where I was soon asleep. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "But his lameness?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited residence of the great financier. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if