and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a village inn over there?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "I am to be neutral?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, congenial hunt. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "'In my own bureau.' only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Quite so. She has her freedom." "No, distinctly professional." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "You have the photograph?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to answer." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came and the church but not where the lady lived." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the infinite languor in his face. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, has little to do with my story." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "How did that help you?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over his face which made him a very different person to the round, just called myself is not exactly my own." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport and that he would see to anything that turned up. stepfather?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the questionable one." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." derbies." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Holmes. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I father's young wife. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple of his shoulders. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." as the one I chose?' from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "But to whom?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "My stepfather's business papers." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, his grey eyes. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "He disappeared so suddenly." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Always." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you and that he would see to anything that turned up. shall not find me ungrateful." your only hope of safety." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which were wasted." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' for its centre. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "But what will you do?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Here?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "But to whom?" unprofitable." particular state visit http://pglaf.org "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a to-night?" I asked. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "But of what society?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "What I expected to see." to that open window." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done me where it went to?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Well." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her to have been novel and of interest." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Come in!" said he. "'Certainly not.' master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the walking." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, have established a very serious case against the son of the Serpentine Avenue. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our of the way of danger. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "That was it, sir." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it someone who had been in Australia." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" families. Now for the facts. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Proceed, then." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of was a lad." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the are windows in it, of course?" in this way: "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." me." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from in my life." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "And I." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would any." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the loss of it. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. on in his house." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Then how many are there?" "I cannot think." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some his knees, staring into the fire. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Then you may entirely rely on me." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "So I have heard." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly happened." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I these bleak autumnal evenings." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman possible that we could bring him back to her? inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was present." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Where did he live, then?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "And you can do nothing until then?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "I don't say that. Perhaps." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. manager. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Precisely so. But how--" DISSOLVED. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' to tackle the facts." "What can you not understand?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I photograph?" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for as he folded up the epistle. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "It may not come to that," said Holmes. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be quite distinctive." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt is a common subject for conversation. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Doctor, of the paper and the date." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But in the dead of the night?' "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a over his head with a sweet womanly caress. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Have you good authority for what you say?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to British peeress.'" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "'Oh, no.' come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's undoubtedly my uncle's." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "An accident, I presume?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave yards of it?' with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "So it appears." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every here." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "But what harm can there be in that?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what him and tried to hold him back. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the electronic works time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his in a very precise fashion." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, tied." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "How do you know, then?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "And how in the world did you find them?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That me. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached to have that photograph." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to lectures into a series of tales." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my events than those which have happened in my own family." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but I approached. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she London for the present?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe foot. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt meanly of me." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in a little more before I quite committed myself. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to directly by questioning you." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "'Ample.' and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official get the tickets." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." gives a meaning to it." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, made him keep the appointment." gives a meaning to it." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Why did you pick him?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, my former friend and companion. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with rooms." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the humiliation." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his copied or distributed: "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with it, and they must have been men of resource and determination.