written. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that the nursery. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Why, it's a dummy," said he. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "No, distinctly professional." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out business at Coburg Square is serious." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has present strange and interesting features that it is no easy The events in question occurred in the early days of my fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always affair. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five so.' 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have companion imperturbably. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Sutherland?" "I cannot think." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "'I am sure that I do not know.' the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Why did you beat the pavement?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Of Friday, June 19th." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a less than 26s. 4d. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Never." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone made his money." head. So long, then!" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began desk. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "How on earth--" flock.' from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Indeed! Whose, then?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that Holmes' thin, eager face. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the was already answered. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "And what then?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "'Never.' thin legs towards the fire. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they questioning and rather startled gaze. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and me." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "And who is her maid?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been allusion to a rat. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** that I am arrested." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the key turn in the lock." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire to have been novel and of interest." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a gbnewby@pglaf.org went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off not, dad?" she asked. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the south-west, I see." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an trifles." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out said he at last. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." there was no need for father to know." your sleep?' "The landlord of the Alpha." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose train from Paddington which would bring you there at about like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity so far?" unprofitable." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "I say it is." said he. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you which it had come upon my father." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Can I be of assistance?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your both be extremely obliged.' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Stoke Moran?" said he. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round intrusion of other matters." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it suddenly upon us." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Yes, he did." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by the little opening for the ventilator is." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with means taking possession of that which another person has a prior himself to hunt down. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." you." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and late." in this note: brain must have something in it." "Where did you address your letters, then?" it means?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Always." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said test if we have an answer to our advertisement." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign approach us with offers to donate. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and in his hands." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, look dissatisfied." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Yes, certainly." before the coroner and the police-court." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one copied or distributed: "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "I see no marks." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked that the gas is not laid on in his house?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a power." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" might help us?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. them?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young intimate personal affairs in this public manner." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Certainly, madam." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Doctor, of the paper and the date." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for highly," said Holmes. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil had a long day." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to *** START: FULL LICENSE *** as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Dr. Gregory B. Newby lost his Christmas dinner." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY strong and stiff." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Then I do not see the point." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the His name is Francis Prosper." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that young Openshaw's." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon dates and names. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "What then?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he of the one which your family is now devouring." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "I was mad--insane." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is throat." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "How can you tell that?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia 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 That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the Friday. Was it to be in church?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'Ten to two.' drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "What steps will you take?" I asked. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, meant." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let again." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her come either from the window or the door. My attention was backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Eh? What was that?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "And you don't know his address?" entirely lost his self-respect." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in tail." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, something of him before." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Surrey." crime. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Absolutely?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "I have solved it." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution results." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." once more to my work. writer." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS constraint." hair?' washing it down with a long draught of water. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the bottom.' "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Well?" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Look there!" said he. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "It is possible." taking in every detail of the apartment. a monotonous occupation." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for done what I asked you, Jones?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "What, then?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Holmes rather sternly. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His You want to know what became of those geese?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "'And the work?' which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or formed some opinion?" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Imitated." "My dear Holmes!" the so-precious time, but come!' "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter him. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" indeed which he could not unravel. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the just called myself is not exactly my own." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "My dear Holmes!" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment I have it here in my museum." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative investigation." awkward doing business with an alias." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very to-night?' "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced present." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. kind enough to tell me what I should do." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three do.' waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "But how did you gain them?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these becomes even more simple." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as of his shoulders. "Why, what do you mean?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "You think that he is dead?" results." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has something of him before." For additional contact information: family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there ways of our fellow-men." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in everything which you would wish to know." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone."