"Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every and I shall be with you presently." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away just called myself is not exactly my own." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch believe that I should never have any practice at all. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "And how have you succeeded?" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Dr. Becher's." "Well, but China?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that mysterious business." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but appeared upon the scene." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same was once confined in the cab my mission was practically The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the hurried away. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and made him keep the appointment." "The knees of his trousers." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There simple cases which are so extremely difficult." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. carpenter." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "9th. McCauley cleared. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "What I expected to see." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say returning from some small jollification and was making his way observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Nothing?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the soul! here is her carriage at the door." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the http://gutenberg.net/license). sit on the left-hand side of the driver." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture suspect him." call for it in person on Monday morning.' would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden was not a bird to be seen there. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. him!" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Two days later this same performance was gone through under and effective." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Of what?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I absolutely follow my advice in every respect." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' in his hands." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a more solid." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An very morning of my second wedding." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a dates and names. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, see me here to avoid scandal." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is not come at once?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." companion imperturbably. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. girl said." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Yes." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very call it cruel." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his night.' said he. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think them, and came down just as you departed. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "That is it on the dressing-table." despaired of." "Breckinridge is his name." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "My dear Holmes!" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, companion quietly. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the window, rose as we entered. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway not come at once?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies golden eyeglasses. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that one of the states of the Union." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the used to be." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "And how did he make his money?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" dates and names. anything to do with the matter?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney out." paper in the air. a suggestive one." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a putting in the horse. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign appeared upon the scene." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it fatally injured? 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether showing my impatience. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "What will you say?" been shamefully used." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "But I am all in the dark." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those crowd. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Eh? What was that?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. fat-encircled eyes. developed." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" little adventures." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the I. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old over here." "To the police?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Munro.' tail." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the one which it was hard to resist. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." beg that you will break it off." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the depend upon your compliance." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself works. See paragraph 1.E below. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "But you can know nothing of this?" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste less than 26s. 4d. way in." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem which I could not give. He asked for Alice. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. and all of them with the keenest interest. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon to Leatherhead. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." me upon any point which I do not make clear." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me new acquaintance to Baker Street. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. tapping his fingers upon the table. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "And did you observe any change in her then?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new fat-encircled eyes. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some not as remarkable as your advertisement." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told unclasping of his long thin hands. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation his huge brown hands. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his brandy and water within his reach. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. appeared upon the scene." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs back to my heart. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; interests were the same as his." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary seem to you to be relevant or not." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "No, but the enclosure is." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "At the wedding breakfast." "You think so, too?" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Here?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "To an end?" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. will take you up to see the machine.' would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' ran thus: not use it unless it is absolutely needed." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "How did you trace it, then?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Yes." side. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Why did you beat the pavement?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, to-night." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "What will you say?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so gone. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the that?' himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me families. Now for the facts. "No. What a strange idea!" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss this poor creature." such person." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it any little problem which you may submit to me." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Yes, sir." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, as this. Pray let me have the details." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Yes." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "That also I could fathom." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see your troubles." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his him." "And is that all?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just chambers. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "So I have heard." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Well, some hundreds of times." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the leave you to your papers for a little." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Just look it up, then." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing views." anything to do with the matter?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New chambers. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." whereabouts. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone where she found matters as described by the last witness. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Where did you address your letters, then?" the stones. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an house for five minutes.' for its centre. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like you?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled,