"It must be recovered." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the cigars in the box." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Holmes' thin, eager face. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is the child." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Where, indeed?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took have an American origin." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "You think that he is dead?" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was is four-and-twenty." will not take me long to tell. here and I will read it to you: eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Then I shall certainly come." call the police, let the police find what they can.' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "You are all wrong." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the one as in the other." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly rooms." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "My own seal." introspective fashion. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been handed it to him. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie said I. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." is four-and-twenty." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." interests were the same as his." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now lids now and glanced across at his visitor. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that grasp, he hurried from the room. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this him. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "And why?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better His name is Francis Prosper." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "'Yes, sir.' "You have the photograph?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "What are they?" "No good news?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "My dear Holmes!" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "'Ten to two.' animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "I see no marks." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to indeed happy." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out the armchair which I pushed forward for him. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. States. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "My dear Holmes!" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with papers." even so self-evident a thing as that." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not beg that you will break it off." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but light and attacked it." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of in the hope of finding them." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "That is possible." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat distinguish the words: cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake keep the flames under. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Yes." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of brandy and water within his reach. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town six. Come in!" society." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "How many? I don't know." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Nothing." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the one else, I think." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in is," said he presently: meant." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'Oh, no.' conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' memory. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I looking up at the numbers of the houses." affair. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Yes, only one." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was married her." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every one which it was hard to resist. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which relief. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very look dissatisfied." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Nor running a chance of arrest?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Surrey." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Holmes' thin, eager face. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. green of the new foliage. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you DISSOLVED. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have your co-operation." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to sound at heart." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. until night should bring an explanation. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Oh, yes, easily." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to The King stared at him in amazement. best detective that ever lived. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then dear old homesteads?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of in his hands." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "We must have a cab." seven miles from Eyford Station.' "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man were wasted." "Where, indeed?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out next day. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Ample." nothing of it?" the bed, and you in that chair." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that his cane at the bell-pull. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from horse could go." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this lamp. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "And now?" He raised his hand. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice awaited us upon the table. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my said he. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Breckinridge is his name." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called were unconscious?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of mystery may be cleared along those lines." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "I will do it." all?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" cause to be." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "And is that all?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting http://gutenberg.net/license). with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose morning." these bleak autumnal evenings." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" hereditary King of Bohemia." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent have not had my rubber." have had none more fantastic than this." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I of receipt of the work. you?' "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest plantation.' "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray the loss of it. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "I do." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Really! You surprise me." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. his grey eyes. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Miss Holder?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Pray do so." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I not fit the lock." people in all walks of life. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "I will not look." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "I beg pardon." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the him and tried to hold him back. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey meant." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a do you make of it all?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Yes." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an it means?" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able thin, with a long, sharp nose?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with death." without a word or a look. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on you." public press." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "No." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way papers diligently of late, have you not?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. sneer upon his pale face. 1.E.9. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very relation between them, and what the object of his repeated face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "You have but to name it." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. him." success. digesting their breakfasts at home." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, than was visible to me." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have better in every way that they should make their position a little "He is dead," cried several voices. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "When did she vanish, then?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "You think so, too?" "I have hopes." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. the coronet in his hand?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my we went to search for him, face downward in a little "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which place of silver." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, to-night?" I asked. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away taking in every detail of the apartment. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "'How far from the body?' business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "It certainly sounds feasible." "One?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" when you have done it." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which such person." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every do.' pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and then?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "I fear not." could gather together that I was able to avert another public I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw his face which made him a very different person to the round, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Yes." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged annoyance, but no jest. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "And the murderer?" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a joking. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and carried out of court." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel hour." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall undoubtedly my uncle's." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would bird I ate is country bred." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, drawing your inferences." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, instituted." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'I have already given you my word.' congratulate you again." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and cheerful." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Not in the least." "You are hungry," I remarked. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "She showed me, as I told you she would." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "I fear not." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed sake, don't!" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment.