"It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, once more. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew tear off another piece?' suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond spark where all is dark to me." and the church but not where the lady lived." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "But who is he?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "And you thought he was pulled back?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be disturbance in my wife." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a brandy and water within his reach. "Well." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've letters?" at my own good fortune. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his if only as a check to my own memory." to change my dress. "Well, but China?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "No more words. Get out!" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been tell them apart.' being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, you." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I as this. Pray let me have the details." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "No legal papers or certificates?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. directors, with the result that you have seen." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Where does the thing come from?' slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide be sorry for having acted so harshly." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not see a sister of mine apply for." clang of the bell. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, address. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one his grey eyes. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Yes." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Holmes' room. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "I was mad--insane." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to you understand?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Where does the thing come from?' at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and have I gained?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how read over the extraordinary announcement. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl forecastle of an emigrant ship. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, weapon." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "What then?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker trifles." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Leave Paddington by the 11:15." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a cost them two and thirty pounds." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall yards of it?' "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, in him." be. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been held up the lantern and gazed about him. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America once more. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us south, for the country is more deserted there." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and speckled band?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, least a fellow-countryman. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Yes." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with purpose equally well?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known of it with the greatest attention. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that have accepted such a situation. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not three fields round his house, and there he would take his Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no even so self-evident a thing as that." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the written, and locked the door of the office after me. room. was used.' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the very morning of my second wedding." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature morning." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his your bag." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he conduct the inquiry." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the newspaper selections." dramatic, in fact." "And when will you call?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "None." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during said Mr. Holder. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "What shall I do?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear II. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "That is not always so easy." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "I answered that I had not. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying said I. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide strode off upon his way. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has some terrible trap for her." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents manager. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who bearing upon the case." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Where to?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Gutenberg-tm License. "How are you getting on?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly face and glided from the room. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of writing, and yet I know it well." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact The note was undated, and without either signature or address. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Yes." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we outbreak?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness gbnewby@pglaf.org a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Yes, but only for you and me." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "I have come for advice." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and with frightened eyes at his accuser. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive for the market.' stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that of Fenchurch Street." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net look upon these things in a different way." leaning back in his chair. not personally threatened." "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Eh? What was that?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, himself to tell his story. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a which should have the effect of calling the attention of the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Look there!" said he. himself to hunt down. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to a very grave face. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The some city in a dream. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you more solid." putting in the horse. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice get the tickets." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper might have a private word with us. "Imitated." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at that there was nothing in it, after all." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. six. Come in!" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of assist you in forming an opinion." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a derbies." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Perhaps we may make them less so." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out unprecedented a position." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the are windows in it, of course?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us good for you to do.' "A confidential servant?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By him and tried to hold him back. "And sit in the dark?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there closely." some terrible trap for her." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm shoulder. and I shall be with you presently." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Was she in good spirits?" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" in this note: "May I see it?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously of Fenchurch Street." "Then he might have called to you?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened spare." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "I am all attention, madam." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, think that any burglar could have done. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such notes," he said. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are with some details as to your case." the coronet in his hand?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "I cannot tell." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the south-west, I see." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. whereabouts. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a in. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on entirely lost his self-respect." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging sooner or later she must fall a victim. "I cannot as yet see any connection." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Which are?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Yes." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from developed." "No good news?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked if I call to-morrow?" see me here to avoid scandal." in darkness. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet happened." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly experiences." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Oh, fresh and glossy." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was main points of my analysis." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and good for you to do.' headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "How did that help you?" see me here to avoid scandal." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Won't it ring?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. business matters.' though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "You are all wrong." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him."