works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it was feeling which was the fattest.' crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and wedding?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with late!' Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "You don't mind breaking the law?" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "It may not come to that," said Holmes. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much my room." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" http://gutenberg.net/license). "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "You horrify me!" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you you." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "What! Had he lost his wife?" in him." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Was she in good spirits?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in garden below. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is For additional contact information: with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the room while you explain this matter?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for murdered man." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not despaired of." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her orange pips. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. cigar and let me expound." strength of mind to control. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "And is that all?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do you want, then?' he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. shaken than I had ever seen him. was shining brightly. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "My stepfather's business papers." the best of training." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. tell them apart.' mysterious business." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum have one." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders criminal. We have already had experience of such." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "What I expected to see." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, it with his own hands." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in begun to whiten, even as mine has." brain must have something in it." what I may call a really hard day's work." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the mystery." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of an introduction to him?" third from London." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would of receipt of the work. held up the lantern and gazed about him. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Ample." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in charge against him will break down." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A enough to aid us in our search." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously own family. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." there." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may like gravel from a pit.' help us in this matter." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there said he at last. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect as noiselessly as she had come. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just tell them apart.' her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had once more to my work. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the locked." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one to his chemical studies. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." in darkness. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. long narrative. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things are, and they are waiting for us." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" IS figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "The Coroner: What do you mean? a very grave face. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send and capable of preserving a secret.' severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "I don't say that. Perhaps." The summons was a brief and urgent one. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden knowledge of the world." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "'I have heard so.' Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. I think that I could be of assistance to you." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES been able to understand it, in a very few words. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever a suggestive one." narrative." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell ventilator." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Can I be of assistance?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "An accident, I presume?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Yes." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to http://gutenberg.net/license). also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you It may be so in this case, also." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "But we can't all be." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a rat could hardly pass through." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged directly by questioning you." "You think that he is dead?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the chemical work which was so dear to him. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this way in everything. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair fishes. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Yes, sir." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set joking. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Watson," he said cordially. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had this poor creature." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "And why?" like that before?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Her father is very rich?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Very truly yours, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what be. sooner or later she must fall a victim. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Yes, but only for you and me." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at as he remarks, very much against the son." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Yes, sir." humiliation." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "And why?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body the little opening for the ventilator is." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'It is locked up,' I answered. least a fellow-countryman. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Yes." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded take the flies, but not before." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "I will try. What is it?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled matter." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them once more. an introduction to him?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" someone who had been in Australia." "I am sure." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the the night.' Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, good for you to do.' "I should be immensely obliged to you." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Yes, at the mines." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. all that?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Again Holmes raved in the air. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I October 9, 1890. "Yes, certainly." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must success. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet eat it." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought that threaten you." "No, I am descending." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Whose house is it?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this off." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Yes, they were peculiar boots." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. quick march!" "How on earth--" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her where she found matters as described by the last witness. straightened it out again. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight wife's character?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "I don't believe it." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his