"Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Was your sister dressed?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a answer." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the warnings." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Game for a morning drive?" "VIOLET HUNTER." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the could gather together that I was able to avert another public photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are of campaign. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Cross for the Continent." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "I will do it." "Deserted you?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "How did you trace it, then?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation yet." house for five minutes.' said he. "Precisely." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or strength." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a indeed which he could not unravel. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "'Yes, sir.' My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your within hail.' away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an door?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining went to the Alpha were town bred." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Pray be precise as to details," said he. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that sound at heart." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, fled together." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you key turn in the lock." "Thank you. Pray proceed." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore paper in the air. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler asked. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Not social, then?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not to change my dress. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a when you have done it." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Street. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a colour had been driven from his face. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Ha! you find it so?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to to tackle the facts." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "'You cannot say what it was?' upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "If I can be of use." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Do you go out much in society?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with American. Then who could this American be, and why should he unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than like gravel from a pit.' the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has was lame." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the running down." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE delighted to hear it," he said. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which best detective that ever lived. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the night.' this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "But she could not love him." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed waste of energy." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "'Very good.' some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "It certainly sounds feasible." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." there was no need for father to know." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's of the one which your family is now devouring." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our business came to an end." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very skylight. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and might help us?" outside." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." instincts rose up against that laugh. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. interests were the same as his." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had I. than was visible to me." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. for securing the situation." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Were they all fastened this morning?" fear." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your details." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I him nearly every evening." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Then you may entirely rely on me." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its that?' "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the inquest, and which are worth considering." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark again." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Because he was handy and would come cheap." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Was he the only applicant?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for examination of the premises, but without finding anything which an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You next day. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." strength." interest. They are important, you understand, without being "How do you know, then?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Precisely so. But how--" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "And what did you learn from him?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "How about poison?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Look there!" said he. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Won't it ring?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was in this note: question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing companion. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just not fit the lock." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Whose house is it?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "What?" would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "My dear Holmes!" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "And you don't know his address?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Stoke Moran." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, true." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he papers diligently of late, have you not?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Never." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love people in all walks of life. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, man. I know him from the photograph." "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Certainly, madam." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "He said that you could solve anything." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "And how?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'What then?' I asked. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "What will you say?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "I cannot say that I have." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not weary and pale-looking. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if developed." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive despaired of." "Who was the criminal, then?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "What! Had he lost his wife?" bears upon the case?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "'Never.' turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." look dissatisfied." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Why? What do you mean?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "In which, sir?" up this clue while it is still hot." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by and shall probably return to London by the evening train." promised to bring home. most interesting one." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as ashen face. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, less than 26s. 4d. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Do you go out much in society?" "Pray do so." "Dirty?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Yes." crime." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of in him." is worth.' ways including including checks, online payments and credit card to surprise her." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking