I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "At what time?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, all?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "And that is--" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Clair, of Lee." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, himself. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with outsides of the windows. "What of the rat, then?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was posted to-day." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, stood on the top of it. "Then, as to money?" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled sake, don't!" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for with some details as to your case." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking something of him before." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "That is possible." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "The rest you will leave in our hands." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. certainly do as you advise." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Proceed, then." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. guilty one." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "It is no ordinary one." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he the child." "BALLARAT." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." you." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "It must be recovered." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am impression behind it as though a window had gently closed a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save distance from the station, and there we found the young lady never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Eyford at 11:15.' flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad do you make of it all?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Won't it ring?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of which our visitor detailed to us. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. depend upon my doing so.' may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Never." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." little adventures." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Nothing?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could exactly what you advise." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is future lives." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. arrested. You then--" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "But what is it you wish?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Nothing?" to surprise her." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "I am about to be married." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Pope's Court, Fleet Street." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among upon a handsome competence. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it which was all perfectly true. "It certainly sounds feasible." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back what do you think they found in the pockets?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "You are certainly joking, Holmes." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should pity, because in other respects you would really have done very THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade other, as fresh and trim as possible. rooms." guilty parties." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from of Mr. Rucastle's." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning of your young ladies.' McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I acted in my house last night?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite things are very often connected not with the larger but with the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "But his lameness?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our noting anything else of interest. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the room while you explain this matter?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and formed some opinion?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY one else, I think." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug hard-headed British jury." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what whereabouts. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots whether it answered to the description of any of their one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Who by?" other lovers by making love himself." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." danger is over." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "I beg pardon." "I was mad--insane." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, call for it in person on Monday morning.' unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. fashion which was peculiar to him. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." awkward doing business with an alias." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "We must sit without light. He would see it through the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal returned to France?" danger is over." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Pray be precise as to details," said he. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Then you may entirely rely on me." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Yes, only one." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he this man was intellectual?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely upon the sideboard." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man followed. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a lamp in his hand. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "My dear Holmes!" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "And what then?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Literary Archive Foundation "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "No, thank goodness, she did not." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "What then?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in points in connection with it which never have been, and probably with frightened eyes at his accuser. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the iron safe, which he closed upon it. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, made him keep the appointment." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "In the cells." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been spare." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! narrative." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me became a certainty. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these forebodings. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" morning." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. correct than the official force." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project sufficient punishment." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked served to weaken the effect. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John you in yours." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Yes, certainly." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." empty. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this imbecility!" he cried. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" towards the blaze. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Not social, then?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal your billet.' shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of character. have established a very serious case against the son of the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two past. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very which our visitor detailed to us. "By no means." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable very morning of my second wedding." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "We have tried and failed." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time go back?" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, it." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it written, and locked the door of the office after me. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his locked." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the points to suicide?" relief. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" quite distinctive." I was concerned in it." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Farm upon the left." we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Of what day?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on to-night." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Witness: It was. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated place no limit on the sum I may draw." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not best detective that ever lived. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his opened a pocket-book and took out a note. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them matter." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying and the church but not where the lady lived." wedding?" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Whose house is it?"