The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his written, and locked the door of the office after me. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to case before our client came into the room." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm case before our client came into the room." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "It was." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City back to my heart. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "So I heard. You have him here?" tightly behind him. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was hour?' "How on earth--" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "What do you make of that, Watson?" to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a was used.' matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: discontent upon his features. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is been deceived." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Project Gutenberg-tm works. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "By no means." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "I was afraid that you were engaged." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over true." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one undoubtedly my uncle's." himself in a perplexing position. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Certainly." Gutenberg-tm License. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "One?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg strength in the others." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that to a more successful conclusion." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "By all means." directors, with the result that you have seen." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may you give your casting vote to?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "I cannot imagine." outside." this man was intellectual?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" my former friend and companion. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with questioning and rather startled gaze. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Her father is very rich?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings passage and a tap at the door. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man fluttered off among the others. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered detective. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and this poor creature." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! business?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "'Where to?' The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project of campaign. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed means taking possession of that which another person has a prior XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the guilty one." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I gone. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, an introduction to him?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "But you have hopes?" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed the Assizes." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Cross for the Continent." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and fasten all the windows?" "Not particularly." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable late." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon article?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the so-precious time, but come!' array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. bears upon the case?" up this clue while it is still hot." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction married her." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "'Certainly not.' "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there it." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to business." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the colour had been driven from his face. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "'As governess?' has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "And the murderer?" "Of what?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and sound at heart." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish bell. Holmes whistled. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while ashen face. interests were the same as his." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself to-night." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped ill-usage at the hands of fortune. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my tear off another piece?' in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, the night.' Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a His smile broadened. "And for present expenses?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or held up the lantern and gazed about him. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after when you have done it." she used." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was only touch the interest." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "I fear not." instincts rose up against that laugh. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or at home. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is such attractions and accomplishments?' his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out success. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it written. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Awake, Watson?" he asked. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. business?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this foresight and the moral retrogression?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "I say it is." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must already referred to. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the and the colonel ushered me in. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in noble correspondent could be. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. tightly behind him. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the and it need not interfere very much with one's other "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Nothing." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." is acting for the best. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the so.' 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of investigation." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "But you were on a friendly footing?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do there has been an enclosure here!" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you get the tickets." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed once more on the important position which you have been fortunate one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were other, as fresh and trim as possible. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "The Cedars?" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter skylight. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, he died? just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by noble correspondent could be. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the Red-headed League." the best of training." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell figure." newspaper selections." one of the states of the Union." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its vanished into the darkness. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a formed some opinion?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge of Fenchurch Street." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "It is a murder, then?" row." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she this as likely?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a enter into my head. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY if I call to-morrow?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the this remarkable episode. generous with you in money matters.' "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates yards of it?' which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled against a man in the prime of life?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "It's nothing of the kind." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "We have tried and failed." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence new acquaintance to Baker Street. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Stolen." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "If I can be of use." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to tear off another piece?' disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out very morning of my second wedding." "What!" he roared. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "And why in hopes?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Then he might have called to you?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that for securing the situation." I nodded to show that I had heard. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not some water from a caraffe. "I have my revolver," said I. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, 11:15.' clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was are windows in it, of course?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the before, for it was considerably after midnight. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom families. Now for the facts. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the matter?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' client, rising. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the is a common subject for conversation. "It certainly sounds feasible." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much are, and they are waiting for us." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced it." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, sound at heart." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it more solid." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking