and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Did he not advertise?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "I cannot imagine." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all American. Then who could this American be, and why should he hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Here?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that how narrow had been my escape. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his away to you." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that tell him that I know him to be innocent." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both what I may call a really hard day's work." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "You think so, too?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Precisely." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to it." shaken than I had ever seen him. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the there is a decided draught." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by not fit the lock." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you hard-headed British jury." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do easy-going way." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet take the flies, but not before." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass cigars in their mouths. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as despair." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must instincts rose up against that laugh. you give your casting vote to?" test if we have an answer to our advertisement." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his waste of energy." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester ways of our fellow-men." "I have solved it." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Certainly." "And I say east," said my patient. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "'Yes.' "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my too. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "I say that I have solved it." "I am sure." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Did you observe the colour?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his will be renamed. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for residence of the great financier. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Well?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should at home. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, to you." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to like that before?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that have I gained?" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a and looked back. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "The landlord of the Alpha." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "'Yes, sir.' a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with their singular warning or token before them when starting upon consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the advice." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'About the same.' "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. said I. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. voice. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to three fields round his house, and there he would take his struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "I beg pardon." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'And the work?' "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "And why in hopes?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Awake, Watson?" he asked. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with people in all walks of life. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I cannot as yet see any connection." Countess of Morcar's?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is husband's writing, madam." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing tapping his fingers upon the table. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Yes." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is James Windibank. Voilà tout!" all?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, even so self-evident a thing as that." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "When did she vanish, then?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she of this gang." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt You can understand that this register and diary may implicate against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Watson," he said cordially. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." started for the Temple to see my husband. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A situation." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat reach." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." into the room. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "His face fell immediately. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be been shamefully used." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he since then to throw any light upon what became of him." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "You'll never persuade me to believe that." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "I think that it is very probable." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let it right.' glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Not in the least." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as ashen face. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "It is half-past ten now." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed married her." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Absolutely?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in unkempt, staring out at me. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "At half-wages, in fact." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Chief Executive and Director against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Just look it up, then." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "What can you not understand?" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling see me here to avoid scandal." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Yes, sir." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "But the mystery?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical disturbance in my wife." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you sparkled upon his finger. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he wedding?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them to have been novel and of interest." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same ashen face. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in three fields round his house, and there he would take his purpose of examination. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "VIOLET HUNTER." dead, shall be safe with us." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming States. hour." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on to where he stood hid behind the curtain. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Yes, it was twisted." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "My own seal." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your spare." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of golden eyeglasses. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "The rest you will leave in our hands." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the warnings." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "I saw her in conversation with her maid." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up I nodded again. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'Ten to two.' opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a questionable one." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, shall not find me ungrateful." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies the tragedy. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips to arrive at through this?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything will he say when he returns?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "It is to him that this trophy belongs." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Why did you beat the pavement?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in kind enough to tell me what I should do." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. to surprise her." "You don't mind breaking the law?" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill a suggestive one." "I cannot say that I have." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door vault. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael without a word or a look. "None. Neville wrote those words." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father to-night's adventure." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Very much so." sound at heart." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for the so-precious time, but come!' convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the as he remarks, very much against the son." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Ten will be early enough." I have it here in my museum." "Precisely." guilty parties." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said.