"I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "But the mystery?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. you?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his hour?' Holmes." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the armchair which I pushed forward for him. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and been with you?" "Texas, I think." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were side. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Ample." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest meanly of me." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come writers could invent nothing more crude." how narrow had been my escape. into the bag, and made for the door. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "And how?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to good-night and bustled off upon her way. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "But you were on a friendly footing?" waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to about here speaks of his kindness to him." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Young McCarthy must be got off, however." call for it in person on Monday morning.' the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. indiscretion." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to country, and eventually married, without anyone having a up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and I have it here in my museum." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side lips." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you or other trace. But how on earth--" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" crime." "Pray let us have it, for all that." new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "The vanishing of the lady." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Where did he live, then?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass him nearly every evening." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Dr. Becher's." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it is four-and-twenty." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Stolen." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his pictures, libraries, or plate. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some opened a pocket-book and took out a note. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, morning." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few him and tried to hold him back. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right I was concerned in it." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage down from London to inquire more deeply into it." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every questioning and rather startled gaze. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "What, then?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "The best possible." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of way in." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and bird of prey. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Edgeware Road. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my writers could invent nothing more crude." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "I was afraid that you were engaged." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to visitors." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length me." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "I should be immensely obliged to you." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. ceremony." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' her also." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Where did he live, then?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these very old mansion. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment annoyance, but no jest. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "How do you know, then?" golden eyeglasses. "Look there!" said he. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. unprofitable." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly happened." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I the side-table." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she in a very precise fashion." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." ready to-morrow?' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Munro.' arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other what do you think they found in the pockets?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Not yet." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss which should have the effect of calling the attention of the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his been shamefully used." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in sake, don't!" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Is he quiet?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. vanished into the darkness. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of off." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Then I can wait in the next room." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where new duties?' particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Seven!" I answered. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a keep the flames under. "And why?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only is worth.' with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "To an end?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream wedding?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped in a very precise fashion." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Yes, the wine-cellar." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Holmes' thin, eager face. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "'Ample.' "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "What I expected to see." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's deduce something from that?" Holmes' face clouded over. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "To the police?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly she slowly sank and died without having recovered her tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "This concluded the examination of the witness." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Tired-looking or fresh?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, murdered man." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the written, and locked the door of the office after me. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: some water from a caraffe. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would that you wished to speak to me?' I. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "I guessed as much." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "By no means." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which child?' snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his the tragedy. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was chemical work which was so dear to him. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy guilty one." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to started for the Temple to see my husband. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated in the dead of the night?' Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, minor matters until to-morrow." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as congratulate you again." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing train.' which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "ARAT," I read. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" have got?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "It is possible." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no brain must have something in it." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "A client, then?" chill to my heart. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'Oh, no.' now. It seems that there had been some informality about their deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "My Mary? Impossible!" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to past. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "I am in hopes that she does." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend