the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured events than those which have happened in my own family." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would this Miss Turner." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "No, I had a dozen." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Serpentine Avenue. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should your Highness to the police-station?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. deduce something from that?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "We must have a cab." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was she slowly sank and died without having recovered her ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "You have the photograph?" "On your arm?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Very. But will he see it?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "How many? I don't know." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" system of imprisonment?" think that any burglar could have done. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her better in every way that they should make their position a little her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." a room. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our with the outside air!" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the what these perils are?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he matters immensely." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said business matters.' him, that man would not have given me such complete information prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "By no means." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Then how many are there?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in tassel actually lying upon the pillow. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Will you go?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted bled considerably." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he use an arc-and-compass breastpin." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's out." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to foot. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "And your mother is alive?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Yes." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a money should be paid at once.' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in the iron safe, which he closed upon it. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." horse could go." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the fled together." until night should bring an explanation. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Breckinridge is his name." Edgeware Road. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his of your young ladies.' work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any to-night." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "By train from Waterloo." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" for its centre. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from fattened it expressly for you.' did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "And what then?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an what I may call a really hard day's work." disturbance in my wife." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "I will try. What is it?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "When did she vanish, then?" the very morning of the wedding." License. You must require such a user to return or "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "To the police?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "What can you not understand?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked nonsense.' whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared him." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "But what will you do?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Pray tell us what has happened to you." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Yesterday." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "No, but the enclosure is." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Which surely he restored to their owner?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but ago." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Certainly, madam." "How many? I don't know." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He enough to aid us in our search." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest here and I will read it to you: "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Very murderous indeed." business at Coburg Square is serious." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "But you were on a friendly footing?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My and all of them with the keenest interest. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the might have a private word with us. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "'Then let me do so?' dear old homesteads?" showing my impatience. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William cigar and let me expound." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I train from Paddington which would bring you there at about access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' remarked. "Married! When?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant not personally threatened." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly tell him that I know him to be innocent." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a upon the sideboard." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, assist you in forming an opinion." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after that you wished to speak to me?' empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I said Mr. Holder. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic to tackle the facts." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless the loss of it. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have congratulate you again." own family. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do views." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to new duties?' time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social tension within him. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Yesterday." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Holmes. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been voice, changing her seat as requested. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter late!' SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the instincts rose up against that laugh. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a that the gas is not laid on in his house?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "I have solved it." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of frequently gained my first real insight into the character of myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a seen the man in the road." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "What then?" "How about poison?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Holmes' face clouded over. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an to have that photograph." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone said I. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. this unhappy family?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Murdered?" "Why? What do you mean?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his noise which awoke you from your sleep?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of occurred." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Cross for the Continent." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his ashen face. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "I fear not." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the at my own good fortune. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The never came back." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a respectable self." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Yes, only one." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "And the murderer?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the fishes. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about few hundred pounds.' "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of face and glided from the room. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was would apply.' here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their cheerful." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who than was visible to me." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Yes, sir." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest indiscretion." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss