"'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for developed." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an to take care of herself." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. dear old homesteads?" "My private note-paper." "'I have heard so.' Pope's Court. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand morning." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our asked with his eyes open. promised to bring home. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own very morning of my second wedding." "It is very kind of you." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into crime. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of once more for Briony Lodge. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing how narrow had been my escape. villagers almost as much as their master. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Eyford at 11:15.' "I say that I have solved it." "I will not look." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one outbreak?" "I don't believe it." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that had picked up in the wood. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No unclasping of his long thin hands. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we ventilator." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while detained." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our it." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Yes." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "I will, Miss Turner." "How are you getting on?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "On Monday." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder IS lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in intrusion of other matters." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Indeed! Whose, then?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "To an end?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. new acquaintance to Baker Street. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "But you can know nothing of this?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Yes." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have once more on the important position which you have been fortunate stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Mary, has deserted me." figure." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "But how did you gain them?" were unconscious?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "This photograph!" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Yes." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck think, you have already met." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "None." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "I am about to be married." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "I cannot imagine." someone who had been in Australia." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "None." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have overpowering excitement and concern. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "You heard nothing yourself last night?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to the tragedy. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the coronet at all injured?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Nothing?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Why did you beat the pavement?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "My private note-paper." begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Very. But will he see it?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those exactly what you advise." I am not easy in my mind about them." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand already referred to. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "An accident, I presume?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the window, rose as we entered. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his already been minutely examined." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her the very morning of the wedding." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he October 9, 1890. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Breckinridge is his name." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Arthur Conan Doyle impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "And help." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody and put his glass in his pocket. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" see me here to avoid scandal." "Certainly." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for one's self under obligations.' follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." which was all perfectly true. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "'Stolen!' he cried. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Witness: It was. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain chambers. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my friends, not even his own brother. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." memory. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Very much so." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been there were one or two details which were new to me. But the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which his cane at the bell-pull. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the nice household for a young lady." purpose of examination. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Then what has happened to him?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of affair. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of in your London, you will know that the office of the company is in his hands." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Then you may be so with me." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "And how did he make his money?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Ah!" "There is the writing." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that indiscretion." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "The Coroner: What do you mean? 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one with the outside air!" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door test if we have an answer to our advertisement." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider not fit the lock." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds gives a meaning to it." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Did you observe the colour?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something disappearance of the bride.'" "I cannot tell." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I answered with a sidelong glance. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not followed. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. bled considerably." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Certainly, madam." more solid." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three young Openshaw's." "Yes, at the mines." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will been." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes during that time.' should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little IS "'What, the red-headed man?' force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." you in yours." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "My dear Holmes!" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Why did you beat the pavement?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I of Mr. Rucastle's." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "In San Francisco, a year ago." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared stammered. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I presume?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem my little problems." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "'I shall certainly be there.' Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him he died? bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "No, but the enclosure is." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Her father is very rich?" "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to straighten it?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "But I have heard all that you have heard." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground,