may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child weary and pale-looking. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather back into the street. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing friends, not even his own brother. and glanced through. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "An accident, I presume?" do you make of it all?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Then what has happened to him?" his forehead." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray your only hope of safety." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and unclasping of his long thin hands. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" wife's character?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Well, it is a possible supposition." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and I shall communicate with you." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" details." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was too. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to what these perils are?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him in one or two places in England?' whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the make me his representative both with the servants and with the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "What I expected to see." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a whereabouts. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "10th. John Swain cleared. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said maiden herself was most instructive." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Then I can wait in the next room." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "The knees of his trousers." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. make me his representative both with the servants and with the recover the gem." you?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, handed it to him. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking seem to you to be relevant or not." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Indeed! Whose, then?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "I cannot tell." late!' he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Just look it up, then." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were disappearance of these gems?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Ten will be early enough." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he said he, "my real name is James Ryder." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come shall not find me ungrateful." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "I cannot as yet see any connection." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary absolutely follow my advice in every respect." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "By train from Waterloo." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' grasp, he hurried from the room. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she call for protection in the marriage market, for the present lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "But she could not love him." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "'Quite sure, dad.' "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." asked. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative felt?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "How can you tell that?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were attention." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "To an English lawyer named Norton." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its I took the paper from him and read as follows: was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important conceal it?" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "How did you deduce the select?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from your sleep?' sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her States. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "None." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. retorted upon me, and I on you." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to happened." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." again before evening." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." humiliation." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then some city in a dream. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found tell them apart.' but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "I will try. What is it?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old second." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Where, indeed?" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Edgeware Road. fact, we may call it conclusive." there was no need for father to know." "I have a cab outside." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a through." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for do." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The I leave." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "'Certainly,' I answered. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "No." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "My dear Holmes!" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "No bad?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." himself to hunt down. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, fattened it expressly for you.' "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were this unhappy family?" hand, madam?" lumber-room." DAMAGE. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more with her." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his upon an income of about 60 pounds." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. a room. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite tell him that I know him to be innocent." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Thank you. Pray proceed." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is cigar and let me expound." "Of what day?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have prepare for the new role I have to play." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her I have it here in my museum." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. been deceived." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps populous neighbourhood." several quiet little villages up there." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' union?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming young Openshaw's." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Pray do so." taking in every detail of the apartment. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My straighten it?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about that I may have something better before very many minutes are lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." records." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the redistribution. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." guilty parties." had picked up in the wood. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended His smile broadened. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the him!" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most were new raised from a basin. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to chance at all." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Sutherland?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His assist you in forming an opinion." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Not in the least." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. heavy and sharp instrument." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is together. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Why, what do you mean?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year electronic works out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "What steps will you take?" I asked. to have been novel and of interest." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "What!" he roared. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that less than 26s. 4d. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Then what has happened to him?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "How did that help you?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per paper in the air. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "BALLARAT." gbnewby@pglaf.org public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "It goes to the housekeeper's room." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" business at Coburg Square is serious." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him think you a quite exceptional woman." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from 1.F. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "I would give my fortune to have them back." third from London." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my I took the paper from him and read as follows: compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem stalked out of the room. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. that you can jump it.' shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul gentleman's clothes. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Street. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never said he at last. himself. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and matters immensely." tell me that you intended to go into harness." was a perfect sample of the class. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post the house with me." "Thank you. And your address?" lamp. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, annoyance, but no jest. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and them?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits