The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It dead, shall be safe with us." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear joking. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate one which it was hard to resist. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "What I expected to see." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he happened." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few article?" Serpentine Avenue. knowledge of the world." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "No good news?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it call for it in person on Monday morning.' the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY you do it in twenty minutes!' as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "The landlord of the Alpha." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he me. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as congratulate you again." and put his glass in his pocket. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a ventilator." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" crackling voice. "Yes." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was served to weaken the effect. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a American. Then who could this American be, and why should he between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Tired-looking or fresh?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." I have it here in my museum." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Quite so. She has her freedom." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. me. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "'I shall certainly be there.' and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Witness: It was. the date of his supposed suicide." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a man. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "And Irene Adler?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, with you alone." "It was." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of prison!" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman and looked back. "Yes, all." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure tear off another piece?' had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes business at Coburg Square is serious." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to system of imprisonment?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," this truth that in these little records of our cases which you rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "'Yes, sir.' honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Sutherland. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Deserted you?" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey as the one I chose?' "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for said he at last. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Yes." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first disappearance of the bride.'" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "And who is her maid?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "That you are never beaten." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite to where he stood hid behind the curtain. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Why? What do you mean?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Ah!" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "'Most admirably.' foot. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony what these perils are?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'In my own bureau.' gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "I should be immensely obliged to you." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "And it is--" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when fire. You quite follow me?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily bedroom door." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to McCarthy." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "'Certainly not.' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "'I have heard so.' might have a private word with us. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "No?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "In which, sir?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Yes." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are open." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." kindly on the shoulder. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to to talk it over. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a his eyes and forehead. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and gentleman's clothes. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in thin, with a long, sharp nose?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the there has been an enclosure here!" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I weighed down with some great anxiety. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. might help us?" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has fluttered off among the others. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Absolutely?" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "But his left-handedness." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true know what is wrong with it.' "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your business." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily think that any burglar could have done. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "That is not always so easy." clang of the bell. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" him nearly every evening." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. article?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had your sleep?' "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, kindly on the shoulder. "'And the work?' while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Pray tell us what has happened to you." business?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, extraordinary contortions. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and in a very precise fashion." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' such person." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that suggested at once that there must be a communication between the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I joking. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have me upon any point which I do not make clear." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for straighten it?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements that I may have something better before very many minutes are comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune and your relations to her." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." that he will be back before evening." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "The Coroner: What do you mean? "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "'Oh, no.' "What can you not understand?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "And for present expenses?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been security.' "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "By train from Waterloo." him and tried to hold him back. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall meant it for the best. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have quickly through a disagreeable task. this poor creature." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten about. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? any little problem which you may submit to me." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The is so. I know all about McCarthy." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal ashen face. heavy and sharp instrument." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES be.' engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Not particularly." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly power." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were three of the beryls in it, was missing. villagers almost as much as their master. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Who was the criminal, then?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a me, and I could not think that his explanation of the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the take the flies, but not before." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the Pope's Court. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some prison!" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' completely overtopped every other consideration that we both one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and how narrow had been my escape. noting anything else of interest. to some other building. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Yes, that is the Crown." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving she has been waylaid. There has been no result." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Pope's Court.