"Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an place, I think that there is good ground to think that the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm digesting their breakfasts at home." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Yes, all." stalked out of the room. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Only as much as we can deduce." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a be. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after she used." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my the side-table." Literary Archive Foundation "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell noise which awoke you from your sleep?" crime." "You horrify me." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the miles off. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "No." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Dr. Becher's." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "But we can't all be." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might it means?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the man. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. letters?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. rose-bushes. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we up this clue while it is still hot." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" here and I will read it to you: spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Have you her photograph?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of ceremony." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend sake, don't!" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera could go. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Seven!" I answered. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "By train from Waterloo." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it looking up at the numbers of the houses." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, made him keep the appointment." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Ample." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "'What do you call purely nominal?' red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." than was visible to me." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "The decline of his fortunes, then?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "No." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Pray be precise as to details," said he. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "'Yes, sir.' "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the within hail.' He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Were they all fastened this morning?" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say been lifted and conveyed somewhere." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot to take care of herself." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot which our visitor detailed to us. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, neither fascinating nor artistic." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The have an American origin." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Is he quiet?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Ah!" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." in his power. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, key turn in the lock." "'What do you call purely nominal?' is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning weapon." ourselves in the office." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a the coronet in his hands?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** throat." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in murdered man." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Miss Holder?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had when you have done it." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "I would pay ten." "You have compromised yourself seriously." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father security.' "Not social, then?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the as he folded up the epistle. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "What do you mean?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing directors, with the result that you have seen." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental think that he is innocent?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever away into the river." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "And leave your case unfinished?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them of the way of danger. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some as yours." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "'Is 4 pounds a week.' column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it such attractions and accomplishments?' "I think it very unlikely." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I locked." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My and looked back. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I other means.' "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been see me here to avoid scandal." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he against a man in the prime of life?" "But to whom?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of silent! Oh, he will be silent!' all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of his forehead." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "And what did you learn from him?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an not personally threatened." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Why did you beat the pavement?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "It is very clear." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "It is possible." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "No, I think that I'll take it." then?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and during that time.' "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for ourselves in the office." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "He said that you could solve anything." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever roused himself from his reverie. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Dr. Becher's." tightly behind him. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they arms and began to sob in a high treble key. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just answer." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "You saw the ventilator, too?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "It is a murder, then?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "You have the photograph?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "I say that I have solved it." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and business." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant appeared upon the scene." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "But it has twice been burgled." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened his wife has ceased to love him." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading as the one I chose?' the loss of it. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door ashen face. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see his forehead." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small again before evening." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored of Fenchurch Street." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "And what did you see?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that o'clock is it?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "It surprised me." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my over part of the map. "What do you read?" acted in my house last night?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come plantation.' wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "I am about to be married." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are never came back." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Sutherland. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "He said too much." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil John Swain, of St. Augustine. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Entirely." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little four million human beings all jostling each other within the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO