face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. to surprise her." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might in. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot said I. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "And help." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. disappearance of the bride.'" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Never to return." "There are none." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Nothing." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, I shall communicate with you." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in the very letters. But what is this written above them?' foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her helping a boy to put up the shutters. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Serpentine Avenue. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my conceal it?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would coat-tails." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "I would give my fortune to have them back." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves in this way: her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Watson," he said cordially. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated chamber." "I cannot as yet see any connection." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque coat-tails." "'A dozen yards or so.' thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Witness: I must still refuse. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his murdered man." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." you want, then?' focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the coronet in his hand?" everything which you would wish to know." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept outside. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you God! What an exposure! What can I do?" prison!" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, strength of mind to control. 'please.'" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely congratulate you again." of them has the shutters up.' "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "I never have." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Well, some hundreds of times." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But amused." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Was your sister dressed?" astonishment. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a morning." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks garden below. "Yes, the wine-cellar." "I cannot say that I have." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with trying to your nerves." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country see a sister of mine apply for." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, o'clock is it?" whereabouts. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Clair, of Lee." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Who by?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, towards the blaze. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked digesting their breakfasts at home." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and III. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry you?' is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, in darkness. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife back alive. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Gutenberg-tm License. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' memory. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a invisible to me," I remarked. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "I will not look." come either from the window or the door. My attention was yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and you in your example." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought It may be so in this case, also." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Look there!" said he. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door electronic works call it cruel." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Tired-looking or fresh?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "I do." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, formed some opinion?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "It's nothing of the kind." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "And how did you find out?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable this truth that in these little records of our cases which you meant it for the best. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. could go. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' following enigmatical notices: we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we wife's character?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell have established a very serious case against the son of the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "That was it, sir." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "No, I had a dozen." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "I promise," said Holmes. "And the murderer?" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to friend's singular character. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "It is possible." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Yes, they were peculiar boots." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the Assizes." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be shadow pass over his face as I spoke. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I was already answered. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among people don't know." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a impression behind it as though a window had gently closed The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. the stones. "On Monday." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving have I gained?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend without a word or a look. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the to a light-house. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Serpentine Avenue. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so business?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Thank you. Pray proceed." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' his forehead." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I occurred." "I don't believe it." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Why did you pick him?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it have been better. It is all right." lost his Christmas dinner." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some extraordinary contortions. "I should be immensely obliged to you." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the nothing of it?" cigar and let me expound." hopeless attempt at recovering them." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." me what he had done with the three missing stones. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "He said too much." "Get out!" said he. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew papers." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal upon a handsome competence. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening cigars in the box." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "To an end?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for fluttered off among the others. invisible to me," I remarked. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was just called myself is not exactly my own." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's public press." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at row." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I you." "By all means." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Her father is very rich?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Why? What do you mean?" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. went to the Alpha were town bred." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "On Monday." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I if she died from some sudden fright." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or my former friend and companion. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest that there was nothing in it, after all." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'How far from the body?' "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Look there!" said he. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous away to you." to arrive at through this?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "'And the work?' sneer upon his pale face. constraint." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off words came to my lips. father's young wife. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you