The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and eat it." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during empty. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Will you bet, then?" and your relations to her." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the beg that you will break it off." "Ah!" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood new acquaintance to Baker Street. Have you good authority for what you say?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that she to prove their authenticity?" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "She walked into the breakfast-room." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. and looked back. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." drawing your inferences." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps been shamefully used." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "And I." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Thank you. Pray proceed." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' read it out to me." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining giving me time to thank him. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, father's young wife. writer." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this remarked. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident for securing the situation." you do it in twenty minutes!' "That is unusual in a young girl." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "No. What a strange idea!" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not passage and a tap at the door. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point becomes even more simple." "Pray continue your narrative." "Yes, all." "Frequently." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Precisely so. But how--" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "By all means." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Then you may entirely rely on me." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she fish-monger and a tide-waiter." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "He is still with you, I presume?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it clang of the bell. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "What then?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a matters immensely." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith forbidden door. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it into the bag, and made for the door. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Was he the only applicant?" greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "It must be recovered." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "'Yes, I promise.' "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "My dear Holmes!" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "It is very kind of you." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in new acquaintance to Baker Street. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no one or two very singular points about this room. For example, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Yes, certainly." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Was the window open?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the the coroner come to?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' strode off upon his way. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that hopeless attempt at recovering them." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and thin legs towards the fire. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble appeared upon the scene." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said and your relations to her." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, extraordinary contortions. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Dark enough and sinister enough." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. case before our client came into the room." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. exactly what you advise." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said matter over." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Have you it here?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "'Never.' madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" carried out of court." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "None." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But my secret was safe in his possession. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "'Never.' "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would sentimental considerations in the background which would induce made his money." "I have seen the police." "It is half-past ten now." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in side. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with country, and eventually married, without anyone having a cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any the so-precious time, but come!' "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Lee, in the county of Kent." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, intrusion of other matters." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "'And the work?' "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" hereditary King of Bohemia." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was *** START: FULL LICENSE *** The telegram which we eventually received came late one night your only hope of safety." hurried by. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "I never have." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "It is a murder, then?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the mysterious end." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the society." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "How did that help you?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece which it had come upon my father." "I say it is." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had how narrow had been my escape. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, narrative." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he problems help me to do so." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "The rest you will leave in our hands." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "No, I had a dozen." depend upon my doing so.' "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" affection." you came in." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. system of imprisonment?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "How often?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "You have the photograph?" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "It must be recovered." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I man. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "What will you say?" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the inquest, and which are worth considering." hardly wander." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "It is true that I have been generally successful." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman his forehead." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, infinite languor in his face. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the gone before you can get him to hospital." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Could he throw no light?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "From his hat?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Munro.' better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by promised to bring home. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is and I shall be with you presently." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Certainly." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his people in all walks of life. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the gone before you can get him to hospital." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of indiscretion." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small held up the lantern and gazed about him. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the gone. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right there in twenty minutes." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for to have been novel and of interest." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To wedding?" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "9th. McCauley cleared. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Holmes' thin, eager face. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in means taking possession of that which another person has a prior absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "About a month then." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the waste of energy." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, wedding?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those and inquire as to the address." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "'Entirely.' "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for business?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices open." stalked out of the room. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. that he has suffered." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the room while you explain this matter?" wedding?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY business at Coburg Square is serious." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "'Never,' said I. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "In what way?" asked Holmes. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "We have tried and failed." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Was your sister dressed?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not my former friend and companion. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I I was concerned in it." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "But of what society?"