James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "But his left-handedness." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the loss of it. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the and that he would see to anything that turned up. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the appointment with me for six o'clock?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had McCarthy's innocence. Mrs. Toller serenely. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the in his power. sake, don't!" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier I was concerned in it." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is be. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Surrey." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we lost his Christmas dinner." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "BALLARAT." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge nonsense.' out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Yes, the wine-cellar." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps way: The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a in his power. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Lee, in the county of Kent." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "From his hat?" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to I nodded again. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have really the only notable feature about the thing." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "You are hungry," I remarked. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were http://www.gutenberg.net absolutely follow my advice in every respect." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great weapon." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from shoulder; "he's all right." "Yes, it would be as well." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I see many objections to any such theory." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage with frightened eyes at his accuser. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we residence of the great financier. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three you, my dear young lady?' cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, make me his representative both with the servants and with the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and not personally threatened." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Heh?' star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet them?" "Your sister is dead, then?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of that he has suffered." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." clang of the bell. "The knees of his trousers." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" case-book, which he consulted. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to despaired of." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of tightly behind him. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "And I say east," said my patient. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "She showed me, as I told you she would." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and yet." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the in my life." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell what do you think they found in the pockets?" copied or distributed: "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "But how did you gain them?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the the bottom.' house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great arrested. You then--" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that his face. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you lamp. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Stolen, then." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction me what he had done with the three missing stones. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune since then to throw any light upon what became of him." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst leave you to your papers for a little." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of answer." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong back into the street. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." My friend smiled. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "The murder was done with it." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than delirious. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Well, some hundreds of times." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so recover the gem." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and 1.F. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "No." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself handed it to him. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "It is very kind of you." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Eh? What was that?" there." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle his wife has ceased to love him." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, trifles." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Then how many are there?" was shining brightly. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." of receipt of the work. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Then I shall certainly come." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have evidence," I remarked. whole matter to your consideration." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is she used." row." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that nonsense.' "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." that threaten you." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying call the police, let the police find what they can.' opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. as noiselessly as she had come. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the coronet in his hands?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a mysterious business." light and attacked it." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Pope's Court. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with guilty parties." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which imbecility!" he cried. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this means taking possession of that which another person has a prior At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "And help." only touch the interest." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "And how have you succeeded?" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'And what salary do you ask?' "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt at my remark. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Holmes. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, that threaten you." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell matter." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had writing, and yet I know it well." go from here to the Strand." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I should like to see him very much." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these whole matter to your consideration." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Holmes' room. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred threw himself down with his face to the pillow. any." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "The King of Scandinavia." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, tear off another piece?' to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me and the church but not where the lady lived." tail." bachelor.' "'Certainly not. But why?' round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the me have 200 pounds?' soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, anything to do with the matter?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. McCarthy's innocence. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and back into the street. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double crowd. "'I am sure that I do not know.' "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge bedroom door." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Stoke Moran?" said he. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in even so self-evident a thing as that." "By all means." goes." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an stalked out of the room. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Nothing?" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "I assure you that I am in your hands." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself it with his own hands." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Will you go?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that will not take me long to tell. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "'Stolen!' he cried. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it question you as to those details which seem to me to be most that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He 1.F. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it all-comprehensive glances. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Always." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "I never have." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, highly," said Holmes. Holmes rather sternly. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "And how did he make his money?" companion. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Who by?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, within hail.' league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair means taking possession of that which another person has a prior the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Texas, I think." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "No." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face not within a twentieth part of the market price." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There me what he had done with the three missing stones. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution sit on the left-hand side of the driver." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "And your mother is alive?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Sutherland. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the ceiling. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so