it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, yourselves in at night?" father's young wife. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "It surprised me." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "'Yes.' "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. returned to France?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low strong reason behind." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small to-night?' o'clock is it?" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the indeed happy." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another test if we have an answer to our advertisement." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story away into the river." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Stoke Moran." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the forbidden door. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'A dozen yards or so.' of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "But you can know nothing of this?" "That sounds a little paradoxical." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "So I heard. You have him here?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the if I call to-morrow?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his to change my dress. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of absorbing." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet lost nothing by them." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." hand, madam?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This be.' "BALLARAT." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and both be extremely obliged.' the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "None." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "I see no marks." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked words came to my lips. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said in his power. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Well." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "No. What a strange idea!" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Really! You surprise me." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Very well, sir. And this stone?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "On your arm?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, get the tickets." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "The landlord of the Alpha." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." public press." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had tail." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of thirty. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man too. any little problem which you may submit to me." him nearly every evening." been with you?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "I was afraid that you were engaged." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of clanging. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a several quiet little villages up there." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any weary and pale-looking. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that cigars in their mouths. "Well, it is a possible supposition." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "My opinion is in no way altered." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "No, but the enclosure is." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, I held the little printed slip to the light. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'I shall certainly be there.' sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." and wait." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for brandy and water within his reach. quite distinctive." or in danger--" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously lids now and glanced across at his visitor. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, himself in a perplexing position. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A room had already been engaged for us. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any young Openshaw's." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Where is it, then?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his and looked back. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and them?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "No?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." Pope's Court. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a His name is Francis Prosper." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "No more words. Get out!" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, whether it answered to the description of any of their "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the call it cruel." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary there!' have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Then I can wait in the next room." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, works. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing me upon any point which I do not make clear." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble prison!" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and in the port of London." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had bare slabs of marble. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Precisely so. But how--" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Certainly, madam." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Sholtos." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in for the market.' "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly lips." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, his huge brown hands. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted constraint." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known never will be, entirely cleared up. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Well, it is a possible supposition." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his breakfast." tear off another piece?' "I warn you that they are very incomplete." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking washing it down with a long draught of water. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "One?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' to tell." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. outside. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He that you wished to speak to me?' station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me future lives." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "9th. McCauley cleared. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Stolen, then." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "'Very good.' reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be instituted." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he The telegram which we eventually received came late one night upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Imitated." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Where does the thing come from?' in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg without success. At last the little money which I had saved began had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be most important business. It is probable that he will be away all the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows and files of the old papers, following the future career of every contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "And who is her maid?" meant it for the best. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "You are all wrong." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Imitated." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" and inquire as to the address." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, entirely lost his self-respect." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and returning from some small jollification and was making his way appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "I will, Miss Turner." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "He is dead," cried several voices. open." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "You are all wrong." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Awake, Watson?" he asked. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to events, Mr. Windibank!" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat beyond words. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My salesman. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, gives a meaning to it." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "You have a clue?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES records." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he