his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Nothing?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "It is possible." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking I have it here in my museum." "It certainly sounds feasible." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like his fortune, and I went back to pa. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his towards the blaze. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "I cannot think." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master away into the river." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman people in all walks of life. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining fatally injured? had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his look dissatisfied." was a perfect sample of the class. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "I assure you that I am in your hands." politicians who had been sent down from the North. photograph?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "My dear Holmes!" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my emerged. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that so.' Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "But you have hopes?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the child." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods kindly on the shoulder. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest about. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a breakfast?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm fat-encircled eyes. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "You don't mind breaking the law?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, in him." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again your billet.' "'Where to?' "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her retorted upon me, and I on you." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "None." the station." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out business." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the your room." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to photograph a cabinet?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Countess of Morcar's?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The the Assizes." companion quietly. highly," said Holmes. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got and looked back. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a father's place of business?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Then I shall certainly come." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking to tell." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Sutherland?" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "They are typewritten," I remarked. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable if I call to-morrow?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Project Gutenberg-tm works. would then never go into court at all." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly 1.F. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which photograph?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left enter Dr. Roylott's room." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed hard-headed British jury." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. trying to your nerves." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Do you go out much in society?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general was shining brightly. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master dead, shall be safe with us." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in had this final quarrel? cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell other lovers by making love himself." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "That also I could fathom." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." secret." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many you?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "You don't mind breaking the law?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the answered with a sidelong glance. experiences." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "On your arm?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing more terrible than the truth. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to you want, then?' "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of I am not easy in my mind about them." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Look there!" said he. "No." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "So I am. Very much so." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "It goes to the housekeeper's room." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "In heaven's name, what for?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which because she had spent so short a time in this country that she murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Awake, Watson?" he asked. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which in this way: making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'Is purely nominal.' son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite when you have done it." "Yes." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "I am still in the dark." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from article?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "She showed me, as I told you she would." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the to-night." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and envelope. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six little trying to do so much typewriting?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front existence." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "What! Had he lost his wife?" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the of receipt of the work. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "No, but the enclosure is." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable photograph?" in a friendly supper." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the that I may have something better before very many minutes are "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "And the cigar-holder?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the keep the flames under. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "But what is it you wish?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. arrested. You then--" arrested. You then--" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black young Openshaw's." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to tell him that I know him to be innocent." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle late." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "And leave your case unfinished?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "That's no good." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging it." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about not, dad?" she asked. this poor creature." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "And your mother is alive?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a helping a boy to put up the shutters. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his despaired of." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "I am in hopes that she does." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Stoke Moran?" said he. to Leatherhead. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "From his hat?" outbreak?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his any little problem which you may submit to me." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before call it cruel." the south-west, I see." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Pool. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "What!" he roared. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As the matter?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did or in danger--" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers several quiet little villages up there." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught for its centre. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to to Leatherhead. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old to me. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "'Then let me do so?' prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all strong reason behind." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "'About the same.' hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then that I am arrested." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical newspaper selections." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." and glanced through. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "What can it mean?" I gasped. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Henry Baker is a member." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is of." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he existence." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "It is solved." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. went to the Alpha were town bred." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "I should like to see him very much." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. taking in every detail of the apartment. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we meant." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "I am all attention, madam." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the later, upon the night of May 2nd." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded mysterious end." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian I nodded again. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It