"I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" chance." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at residence of the great financier. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Farm upon the left." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, depend upon my doing so.' preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it rat could hardly pass through." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that a good hundred miles off by now." little trying to do so much typewriting?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed case-book, which he consulted. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster closing the door. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "How can you tell that?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "The gentleman I describe." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he back to my heart. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she could not have written that. It is the German who is so "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord read it out to me." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in yards of it?' business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which his face. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was said I. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "What! Had he lost his wife?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. introspective fashion. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Eh? What was that?" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." do.' "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and My friend smiled. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "And the murderer?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had fasten all the windows?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "But how?" the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a distinguish the words: Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Bought." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "It is possible." purpose equally well?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this happened." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I train.' look upon these things in a different way." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the this unhappy family?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." indeed which he could not unravel. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "'And the work?' "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "I am in hopes that she does." depend upon your compliance." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come answered with a sidelong glance. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "And why in hopes?" these bleak autumnal evenings." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "One horse?" interjected Holmes. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to sit on the left-hand side of the driver." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the in his hands." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it putting in the horse. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such purpose of examination. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "But I am all in the dark." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given is a common subject for conversation. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features more solid." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am the driver. skylight. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps was shining brightly. Munro.' "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Not I." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "And you thought he was pulled back?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "'There is a drive, then?' say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. cup of tea. do." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "And you thought he was pulled back?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully union?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address how narrow had been my escape. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "'Yes, sir.' is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "No." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Very murderous indeed." my former friend and companion. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of made his money." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "'Yes, I promise.' used to be." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his case before our client came into the room." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not all that?" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we overpowering excitement and concern. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and gentleman's clothes. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave been anything against him. He had for years been known as a you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a bare slabs of marble. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, used to be." trifles." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "No good news?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "'No, I know no one in these parts.' surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Quite so. She has her freedom." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Yesterday." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the gone. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "And is that all?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the became a certainty. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On is worth.' decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and delirious. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose have established a very serious case against the son of the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen kindly on the shoulder. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. page at http://pglaf.org a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "What will you say?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in awaited us upon the table. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore your most interesting statement." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project six. Come in!" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Again Holmes raved in the air. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' papers." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the words came to my lips. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "What can you not understand?" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "'Is purely nominal.' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing delirious. such person." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that have not had my rubber." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over DISSOLVED. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. it." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." written, and locked the door of the office after me. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he believe that I should never have any practice at all. never came back." "And Miss Sutherland?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. residence of the great financier. I took the paper from him and read as follows: called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Yes?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'No, I know no one in these parts.' should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "How often?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the them?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" of the one which your family is now devouring." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little wedding?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "But what will you do?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try maid will bring up your coffee." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at enter into my head. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not matters immensely." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "No. What a strange idea!" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should