"I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Nothing?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special round and wave him away like that.' way: "I have seen the police." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "One?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his congratulate you again." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two fluttered off among the others. invisible to me," I remarked. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "How many? I don't know." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no quickly through a disagreeable task. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "How are you getting on?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "'Is 4 pounds a week.' matter over." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "You horrify me!" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept jewels which you have stolen?' pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & simple cases which are so extremely difficult." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "By no means." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Did he not advertise?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to it." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Yes, only one." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. bedroom door." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how call for protection in the marriage market, for the present which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not better in every way that they should make their position a little if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Where, then, is my wife?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been bears upon the case?" "I answered that I had not. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "By no means." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. there is a decided draught." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so I held the little printed slip to the light. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "'Most admirably.' "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid his grey eyes. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. should be so warm over such a trifle." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "He might." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off giving me time to thank him. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "They are typewritten," I remarked. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour both be extremely obliged.' which we had just quitted. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "And what then?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon dead, shall be safe with us." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "By all means." national property. I was determined that the law should have its from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge long narrative. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always depend upon your compliance." was a perfect sample of the class. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Chief Executive and Director along the entire front of the house, with three long windows truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for words came to my lips. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is friend's singular character. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Why did you pick him?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I guilty one." "May I see it?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "So I am. Very much so." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Watson," he said cordially. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "No, I think that I'll take it." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, you in yours." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my his face. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "I cannot imagine." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "VIOLET HUNTER." my room." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "A confidential servant?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than better grown goose." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to he bowed and left the room without another word. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Stoke Moran?" said he. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I am armed." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your me. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that be there in time for your coming." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin time." works. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Did you observe the colour?" lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would very peculiar words of the dying woman?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush drove away. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before of this gang." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America License. You must require such a user to return or "You think so, too?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right recover the gem." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes for the market.' "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you *** START: FULL LICENSE *** house for five minutes.' for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "What! a murderous attack?" you?' showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague look dissatisfied." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I waste of energy." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the new acquaintance to Baker Street. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Quite so. She has her freedom." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an seem to you to be relevant or not." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "I am to be neutral?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. particular state visit http://pglaf.org THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "I am about to be married." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it would apply.' over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. gone. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." ashen face. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if later, upon the night of May 2nd." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened beyond words. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon society." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, 'please.'" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel most interesting one." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "What is it, then--a fire?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And dates and names. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "That is not always so easy." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable interest. They are important, you understand, without being Stoke Moran." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I desk. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your detained." himself. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is upon an income of about 60 pounds." returned to France?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the business matters.' the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make four million human beings all jostling each other within the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Ten will be early enough." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "That is not always so easy." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat to affect your life." "Of what?" "'Very good.' winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "'I have heard so.' blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the nursery. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Munro.' "10th. John Swain cleared. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "'Ample.' tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "I know where it is." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a conclusions. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my some terrible trap for her." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "But we can't all be." http://gutenberg.net/license). "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time never to learn it at all." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the guilty one." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg over his head with a sweet womanly caress. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "What can you not understand?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the stepfather?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the whereabouts. I. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the matter?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all criminal. We have already had experience of such." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an formed some opinion?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is congenial hunt. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, questioning and rather startled gaze. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must strong and stiff." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to husband's writing, madam." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could strength in the others." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not