"And it is--" memory. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "That is not always so easy." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I always that they were such commands as a lady might with as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Count Von Kramm." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." gone. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "You forget that I know nothing about it." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Eyford." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "'It is locked up,' I answered. "BALLARAT." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Where did you address your letters, then?" yourselves in at night?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an that threaten you." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Again Holmes raved in the air. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Heh?' time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Will you go?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "And why in hopes?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. developed." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "It is a murder, then?" weighed down with some great anxiety. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made fasten all the windows?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a gigantic client. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a may have an influence upon European history." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a where she found matters as described by the last witness. "An accident, I presume?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "My Mary? Impossible!" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "VIOLET HUNTER." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Entirely." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive distinguish the words: society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a lost nothing by them." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Perfectly so." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. remarked. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "How did you deduce the select?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the maid will bring up your coffee." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a bird I ate is country bred." "I never have." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it to surprise her." "I have my revolver," said I. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the inquest, and which are worth considering." true." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. recover the gem." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the name is different." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a and looked back. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way that I can to serve you." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "No bad?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur past. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Your French gold?" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last giving me time to thank him. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "You have but to name it." "How did you deduce the select?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look golden eyeglasses. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind crime." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles I was concerned in it." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with until night should bring an explanation. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Yes, sir." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own speckled band?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "So I heard. You have him here?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it extraordinary contortions. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Oh, yes, easily." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "'Certainly not.' "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "I promise," said Holmes. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and views." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the help us in this matter." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Yes." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first exactly what you advise." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. had died away into the silence from which it rose. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to tell them apart.' 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers and files of the old papers, following the future career of every purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the and that he would see to anything that turned up. it." "You horrify me!" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my shadow pass over his face as I spoke. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed and all of them with the keenest interest. "But he might be a bachelor." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "About a month then." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' such attractions and accomplishments?' to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of noble correspondent could be. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "'Most admirably.' "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "I am armed." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "How are you getting on?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders ran thus: still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. certainly not very gracious." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "So I have heard." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding main points of my analysis." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "What can it mean?" I gasped. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest sneer upon his pale face. matters immensely." might help us?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a discontent upon his features. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your secret." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and there in twenty minutes." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst gone before you can get him to hospital." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "But it has twice been burgled." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of even so self-evident a thing as that." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "'Ten to two.' had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step an introduction to him?" his cane at the bell-pull. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I as noiselessly as she had come. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "So I am. Very much so." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, one which it was hard to resist. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the success. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after do.' money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Nothing." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, horse could go." "But his lameness?" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the shoulder; "he's all right." with some details as to your case." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Yes." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, clang of the bell. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip down. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of room?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind someone who had been in Australia." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "When did she vanish, then?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul clanging. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not so far?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "'Why that?' I asks. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Yes." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "'I have heard so.' "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists