which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to and it need not interfere very much with one's other I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' arrangements." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad standing smiling on the door-step. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite gentleman's clothes. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Your presence might be invaluable." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or house for five minutes.' See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to meanly of me." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of with frightened eyes at his accuser. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the there." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Whose house is it?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "'Yes, sir.' believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay window when the police appeared." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very bachelor.' was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "That also I could fathom." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not his face. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I October 9, 1890. http://www.gutenberg.net well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a conduct the inquiry." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "You'll never persuade me to believe that." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, prison!" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Then I do not see the point." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which presume?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you this unhappy family?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you certainly do as you advise." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "No." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "I cannot think." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your stood on the top of it. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased started for the Temple to see my husband. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to upon an income of about 60 pounds." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Yes." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "And you thought he was pulled back?" like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I evidence," I remarked. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "It came here." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than be best to do. interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock province." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I works. See paragraph 1.E below. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will not fit the lock." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "What then?" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark information in his hands the value of which he did not himself and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." ventilator." "And I to find an enemy." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote things are very often connected not with the larger but with the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish once more. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in depend upon my doing so.' "I am to be neutral?" lumber-room." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." matter." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "And you don't know his address?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which that you saw all that I did." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the window, rose as we entered. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "The gentleman I describe." "And that is--" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Can I be of assistance?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its electronic works of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would south, for the country is more deserted there." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety affection." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "'Certainly not.' of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "But to whom?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "What of the rat, then?" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "What then?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Then I am your man." prison!" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards beg that you will break it off." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "So I have heard." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "I do." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Ample." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to purpose equally well?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "My opinion is in no way altered." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of least a most suspicious remark." answer." "How did you trace it, then?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge photograph?" "Was the window open?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "'Certainly,' I answered. invisible to me," I remarked. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt bachelor.' through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the own family. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "What are they?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Yes, I have one waiting." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that footfalls from the street. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, questionable one." once more. train.' o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and again on its way. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass had a long day." nonsense.' "'Never.' the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Certainly." I shall communicate with you." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of down in his armchair and closing his eyes. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money yards of it?' father's place of business?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an conduct the inquiry." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away disappearance of these gems?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key of the way of danger. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the which our visitor detailed to us. "I was sure that I might rely on you." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "'As governess?' footfalls from the street. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first I nodded again. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across questioning and rather startled gaze. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY woman who has had her own way to make in the world. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" into the bag, and made for the door. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "No." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy ventilator." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "I have come for advice." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "10th. John Swain cleared. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late laugh and put his lips to my ear. "And that is--" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the IS room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I my secret was safe in his possession. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his annoyance, but no jest. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum stammered. down. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I bled considerably." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Do you go out much in society?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a undoubtedly my uncle's." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Do you know him?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can felt the room to be a little close.' all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in relief. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I II. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I pierced for earrings?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try that threaten you." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "It surprised me." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what promised to bring home. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." 'please.'" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the guilty one." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Here?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' companion. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring brain must have something in it." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as through." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, there has been an enclosure here!" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went have an American origin." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has during which he might have communicated with his friend the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very appeared upon the scene." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the of." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few to talk it over. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. thin legs towards the fire. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at